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Published on: December 2, 2015
Depression predicts repeated heart failure hospitalizations
Tricia J Johnson1, Sanjib Basu, Barbara A Pisani
1Department of Health Systems Management, Rush University/Rush University Medical Center, 1700 West Van Buren Street, TOB Suite 126B, Chicago, IL 60612, USA. tricia_j_johnson@rush.edu
Journal of Cardiac Failure
|March 6, 2012
Summary
Depression significantly increases heart failure (HF) hospitalizations. Patients with depression were hospitalized 1.45 times more often for HF, highlighting the need for early depression screening in HF management.
Area of Science:
- Cardiology
- Psychiatry
- Health Services Research
Background:
- Heart failure (HF) management aims to improve outcomes and reduce costs.
- Depression is a potential independent factor associated with HF hospitalizations.
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess the association between depression and the number of HF-related hospitalizations.
- To control for illness severity, socioeconomic factors, and adherence to treatments.
Main Methods:
- The Heart Failure Adherence and Retention Trial (HART) used a randomized behavioral approach.
- Depression was measured using the Geriatric Depression Scale (GDS).
- Negative binomial regression analyzed hospitalization frequency, adjusting for covariates.
Main Results:
- The average unadjusted annual hospitalizations were 0.40 for depressed and 0.33 for nondepressed patients.
- Depression was a significant predictor (IRR 1.45, P=.006) after adjustments.
- Adjusted factors included medication adherence, salt restriction, illness, and HF severity.
Conclusions:
- Depression is a strong psychosocial predictor of recurrent HF hospitalizations.
- Depressed individuals experienced 1.45 times more HF hospitalizations than nondepressed individuals.
- Early screening for depression is recommended for effective HF management.
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