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Antidepressant use in patients with heart failure
Kenneth E Freedland1, Brian C Steinmeyer1, Robert M Carney1
1Department of Psychiatry, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, USA.
General Hospital Psychiatry
|May 4, 2020
Summary
Antidepressant use in heart failure (HF) patients is linked to factors beyond depression severity, including race, age, and functional status. More research is needed for appropriate medication use in this population.
Area of Science:
- Cardiology
- Psychiatry
- Clinical Pharmacology
Background:
- Limited evidence exists on the efficacy and safety of antidepressants for depression in heart failure (HF) patients.
- Understanding factors influencing antidepressant prescription in HF is crucial for optimizing treatment.
Purpose of the Study:
- To identify characteristics associated with antidepressant use in hospitalized patients diagnosed with heart failure.
Main Methods:
- Logistic regression models analyzed data from 400 hospitalized HF patients (2014-2016).
- Primary analysis used DSM-5 diagnosis; secondary analysis used PHQ-9 depression scores.
Main Results:
- Antidepressant use correlated with white race, younger age, unemployment, non-ischemic HF, polypharmacy, minor depression, major depression history, and functional impairment.
- Secondary analysis showed associations with white race, unemployment, polypharmacy, and functional impairment.
- Depression severity's impact varied based on prior major depression history.
Conclusions:
- Antidepressant use in HF patients is influenced by multiple factors beyond current depression.
- Further research is essential to ensure appropriate antidepressant prescribing for heart failure patients.
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