Antidepressant medication can improve hypertension in elderly patients with depression
Wenjing Fu1, Lina Ma2, Xiaoling Zhao3
1Department of Nephrology, Xuan Wu Hospital, Capital Medical University, 45 Changshun Street, Xicheng District, Beijing 100053, China.
Insights
Antidepressant therapy significantly lowered blood pressure and improved quality of life in elderly hypertensive patients. This suggests considering antidepressants for managing depression in this population.
Area of Science:
- Cardiology
- Geriatrics
- Psychiatry
Background:
- Depression is more prevalent in hypertensive patients, potentially worsening hypertension control and leading to complications.
- Elderly hypertensive patients with depression may experience poorer health outcomes.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the impact of antidepressant therapy on blood pressure and quality of life in elderly patients with hypertension.
- To evaluate the efficacy of adding citalopram to amlodipine treatment in this patient group.
Main Methods:
- A randomized, parallel group study involving 70 elderly hypertensive patients (August 2008-March 2011).
- Patients were assigned to a control group (amlodipine 5mg daily) or a therapy group (amlodipine 5mg daily + citalopram 20mg daily).
- Measurements included 24-hour, daytime, and nighttime blood pressure, Hamilton Depression Rating Scale, and SF-36 quality of life questionnaire over 3 months.
Main Results:
- The therapy group showed significantly lower systolic and diastolic blood pressure levels compared to the control group after 3 months.
- Quality of life scores (except physical function) were significantly higher in the therapy group.
- Antidepressant treatment positively influenced both cardiovascular and mental health markers.
Conclusions:
- Antidepressant therapy, specifically citalopram, is effective in reducing blood pressure in elderly hypertensive patients.
- Adding antidepressant treatment to antihypertensive medication improves the quality of life for these patients.
- Clinicians should consider screening for and treating depression in elderly hypertensive individuals.
Abstract:
We explored the influence of antidepressant therapy on blood pressure and quality of life in elderly patients with hypertension. Depression occurs at a higher rate in patients with hypertension than in the normal population. It has been reported that depressive symptoms lead to poorer hypertension control, resulting in the development of complications. We conducted a randomized, parallel group study. A total of 70 elderly patients with hypertension in the period of August 2008 to March 2011 were divided into two groups based on their antihypertensive therapy, a control group (amlodipine, 5 mg daily; n=35) and a therapy group (amlodipine, 5mg daily; citalopram, 20 mg daily; n=35). We compared 24 hour, daytime, and nighttime measurements of systolic and diastolic blood pressure, in addition to quality of life, assessed using the Hamilton rating scale for depression, and a 36 item Short Form quality of life questionnaire (SF-36). Both groups were followed for 3 months. At the end of 3 months, all blood pressure levels were significantly lower in the therapy group than in the control group. The other scores (with the exception of the physical function subcategory of the SF-36 quality of life scale) were significantly higher. Our study indicates that clinicians should be aware of depressive symptoms in elderly patients with hypertension, and should consider antidepressant therapy in these patients.
More Related Videos
Related Concept Videos
01:23Antidepressant Drugs: MAOIs and Other Agents
01:25Antidepressant Drugs: Overview
01:28Antidepressant Drugs: Tricyclics, SSRIs, and SNRIs
01:28Drug Therapy
Antianxiety Medications
01:15Drug Dosing: Geriatric Patients
01:22Alzheimer's Disease: Treatment