The prevalence of depressive symptoms in a Trinidadian cardiac population

Area of Science:

• Cardiology
• Psychiatry
• Epidemiology

Background:

• Cardiovascular disease is a leading cause of mortality globally.
• Depression is a recognized risk factor for adverse cardiac outcomes.
• The interplay between cardiovascular disease, depression, and gender requires further investigation, particularly in diverse populations.

Purpose of the Study:

• To determine the prevalence of depressive symptoms in individuals with self-reported cardiovascular disease.
• To examine the association between cardiovascular disease and depressive symptoms.
• To investigate the influence of gender on depressive symptoms within this population.

Main Methods:

• A cross-sectional study was conducted with 425 participants at the Eric Williams Medical Sciences Complex (EWMSC) Heart Clinic in Trinidad.
• Participants completed the Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale (CES-D) to assess depressive symptoms.
• Sociodemographic and clinical data were collected using a questionnaire.

Main Results:

• 47% of participants with self-reported cardiovascular disease exhibited high depressive symptoms, compared to 32% without cardiovascular disease.
• Individuals with reported cardiovascular disease had higher odds of experiencing high depressive symptoms (Odds Ratio > 1).
• Females reported significantly higher levels of depressive symptoms than males (Mann-Whitney test, p < 0.05).

Conclusions:

• Depressive symptoms are highly prevalent in individuals with cardiovascular disease in this Trinidadian population.
• Cardiovascular disease is independently associated with an increased likelihood of depressive symptoms.
• Gender is a significant factor, with females experiencing higher depressive symptom levels, underscoring the need for targeted interventions and further research.