We use cookies to understand how you use our site and to improve your experience. This includes personalizing content and advertising. To learn more, click here. By continuing to use our site, you accept our use of cookies. Cookie Policy.

HospiMedica

Download Mobile App
Recent News Medica 2024 AI Critical Care Surgical Techniques Patient Care Health IT Point of Care Business Focus

Depressed Heart Patients More Likely to Die

By HospiMedica staff writers
Posted on 22 Aug 2001
A study has found that patients with congestive heart failure (CHF) and with major depression appear twice as likely as those not depressed to die or be re-admitted to the hospital within 12 months. Conducted by researchers at Duke University Medical Center (Durham, NC, USA), the study was published in the August 13, 2001, issue of Archives of Internal Medicine.

The Duke researchers screened consecutive CHF patients admitted during a 15-month period and found that of the 357 screened, 35.3% had some symptoms of depression, with 13.9% diagnosed with major depression. CHF patients who weren't depressed had mortality rates of 5.7% at three months and 13.7% at one year. However, for those with major depression, the death rates jumped to 13% at three months and 16.1% at one year.

As for hospital re-admissions, 36.5% of the nondepressed patients were re-admitted within three months, and 52.3% at one year. For those with major depression, the rates increased to 52.2% at three months, and 80.4% at one year. "If more cardiologists considered the impact of depression on their heart failure patients and treated the depression, the outcomes for these patients might improve,” said Dr. Wei Jiang, author of the study.

The task will be a challenge, Dr. Jiang noted, since most CHF patients take as many as eight different medications per day for their disease, and current anti-depressive medications can interact with them.




Related Links:
Duke Univ.

Gold Member
POC Blood Gas Analyzer
Stat Profile Prime Plus
Gold Member
STI Test
Vivalytic Sexually Transmitted Infection (STI) Array
New
Resting Electrocardiograph
ECG Top D/BT
New
Portable X-ray Unit
AJEX140H

Latest Patient Care News

Portable Biosensor Platform to Reduce Hospital-Acquired Infections

First-Of-Its-Kind Portable Germicidal Light Technology Disinfects High-Touch Clinical Surfaces in Seconds

Surgical Capacity Optimization Solution Helps Hospitals Boost OR Utilization