Depressed patients have higher mortality risk in heart failure

Elevated values ​​on a depression scale allow the prediction ( "prediction") an increased mortality risk in patients with heart failure (cardiac insufficiency), reported Dr. Julia Wallenborn (German Center for Heart Failure, University Hospital Würzburg) on ​​the 80. Annual Meeting of the German Society of Cardiology in Mannheim.

The research group examined 864 patients with "decompensated cardiac insufficiency" - when water retention or shortness of breath occur even at rest - in a hospital with a special questionnaire (PHQ-9) for a depressive mood. A depressed mood was found in 29 percent of all patients. 28 percent of this subgroup had a previously known depression, of which only 50 percent were treated with antidepressants. In the group diagnosed as depressed, 18 percent of the patients died after 27 months, in the group classified as non-depressed 14 percent.

Earlier depressive episodes were, regardless of the current PHQ score associated with a worse prognosis than the first diagnosis of depressive symptoms. The worst prognosis, patients with elevated PHQ score on despite antidepressant therapy and patients with previously known, currently successfully treated depression.

"Screening for depressive symptoms or a depressive history therefore provides important prognostic information in patients with heart failure and should be included as a routine measure in the care," conclude the study authors.

Source:

DGK Abstract V1597: J. Wallenborn et al, Prevalence of depression, frequency of antidepressant pharmacotherapy and mortality in systolic heart failure patients Clin Res Cardiol 103, Suppl 1, April 2014

Source: Mannheim [press release DGK]