Depressive Symptoms and Quality of Life in Patients With Heart Failure and an Implantable Cardioverter-Defibrillator

The correlation between patient health questionnaire-4 scores and major depressive disorder: a population-based study

Background

This study aims to investigate the association between PHQ-4 scores and major depressive disorder (MDD) among participants from the Taiwan Biobank.

Methods

We analyzed data from 5,629 individuals who completed the PHQ-4 questionnaire. Self-reported MDD cases in the Taiwan Biobank (TWB) were linked to their information in the National Health Insurance Research Database (NHIRD), requiring at least two outpatient visits or one inpatient hospitalization for confirmation. The PHQ-4 scores, a validated screening tool for anxiety and depression, were assessed as continuous variables due to the small sample size. Logistic regression models, adjusted for relevant covariates, were employed to examine the relationship between PHQ-4 scores and MDD.

Results

Participants with MDD exhibited significantly higher mean PHQ-4 scores (mean ± SD: 2.17 ± 2.61) compared to controls (1.02 ± 1.69, p < 0.001). The odds ratio (OR) for a one-unit increase in PHQ-4 score was 1.26 (95% CI: 1.19-1.34), indicating a 26% increased risk of MDD. The combined OR for anxiety items (PHQ1 and PHQ2) was 1.51 (95% CI: 1.36-1.68), while for depression items (PHQ3 and PHQ4), the OR was 1.42 (95% CI: 1.28-1.58). Notably, females had an OR of 1.22, while males had a higher OR of 1.31. Additionally, older adults (≥70 years) showed an OR of 4.56. Unemployed individuals had an OR of 1.83, and current smokers had an OR of 2.18.

Conclusion

The findings highlight a significant association between higher PHQ-4 scores and the prevalence of MDD, suggesting that depression and anxiety components may contribute to the overall correlation with MDD.

An Evaluation of the Quality of Life and Emotional Status of Patients With Implantable Cardioverter Defibrillators at the Vilnius University Hospital, Lithuania

Background and objective An arrhythmia is a disorder of the heart rate or rhythm. An implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD) is a small electronic device connected to the heart to continuously keep track of and help control rapid and sometimes life-threatening electrical problems with the heart. However, it may result in psychological tension in patients' lives, eventually affecting their quality of life (QoL). In light of this, we aimed to assess the QoL of patients with ICD at the Vilnius University Hospital, Lithuania. Methods We employed the following three questionnaires in this study: an originally prepared questionnaire including sociodemographic and health factors; the 36-item Short Form Health Survey questionnaire (SF-36); and the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS) to assess depression and anxiety. Data analysis was performed using SPSS Statistics v. 13.00 (IBM Corp., Armonk, NY). Results Of the patients evaluated in all areas of QoL, males demonstrated higher scores compared to females. A statistically significant difference was found when assessing the domains of physical activity, social function, pain, and physical and mental health QoL. Conclusions Based on our findings, the majority of ICD patients can achieve their desired QoL and psychosocial outcomes. Our results show that patients with ICDs have the potential to return to a normal life. Depression and anxiety manifested more commonly in respondents with a disease duration of up to five years.

Remission from depression is associated with improved quality of life and preserved exercise capacity in adults with congenital heart disease

Aims

Improved long-term survival has widened the treatment goals for adults with congenital heart disease (ACHD) by addressing parameters that impact mental well-being and exercise capacity. Depression, a frequent co-morbidity in ACHD, is linked to both. Whether successful treatment of depression also affects cardiac parameters is a matter of debate.

Methods

This prospective, cross-sectional, longitudinal study included N = 150 ACHD (mean age 35.2 ± 11.3 years, 57% male) at baseline (t0) and N = 114 at follow-up (mean follow-up: 4.8 ± 0.6 years; t1). Patients were interviewed using a structured clinical interview, and severity of depression was assessed using the Montgomery-Asperg Depression Scale (MADRS). Additional testing was performed using self-rating questionnaires concerning depression, anxiety and quality of life (QoL). Exercise capacity (VO2max) was assessed by symptom limited exercise testing.

Results

Of N = 33 patients diagnosed with depression at t0, N = 18 patients remitted and N = 15 were non-remitters. Remitters displayed significantly decreased anxiety (P = 0.013), improved global QoL (P = 0.002), and preserved VO2max (P = 0.958) at t1 compared to t0. This was associated with favourable health behaviour at t1 and stable body-mass-index. Contrarily, non-remitters reported further increased anxiety (P = 0.021) and no significant improvement in QoL (P = 0.405). VO2max declined significantly (P = 0.006) and body-mass-index increased (P = 0.004). Never-depressed patients showed no significant changes in anxiety (P = 0.415) or QoL (P = 0.211). VO2max decreased significantly (P < 0.001).

Conclusion

In ACHD, remission from depression is associated with better physical functioning, mental health, and QoL. The assessment and treatment of depression in ACHD emerges as an important clinical goal that should be included in a comprehensive multimodal treatment plan.

The effects of weight management on heart failure: A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials

BACKGROUND

Weight management is an important part of disease management in patients with heart failure. However, the effectiveness of reported weight management interventions is inconclusive.

AIMS

The aim of this systematic review and meta-analysis was to assess the effects of weight management on functional status, heart failure-related hospitalizations, and all-cause mortality in patients with heart failure.

METHODS

PubMed, Web of Science, Embase, and the Cochrane Library were searched on April 3, 2022. This study was registered with PROSPERO (CRD42021283817). Eligible studies assessed functional status, heart failure-related hospitalizations, and all-cause mortality in patients with heart failure. Two researchers independently screened the articles, extracted data, and evaluated the risk bias of each study. Dichotomous variables were presented as OR with a 95% confidence interval (CI). The data were analyzed using a fixed effect or random effect model, and heterogeneity was determined using I2 statistics. All statistical analyses were conducted using RevMan 5.3.

RESULTS

Among 4279 studies screened, seven randomized controlled trials were included in this study. The results showed that weight management significantly improved functional status (OR = 0.15, 95% CI [0.07, 0.35], I2 = 52%) and reduced the risk of all-cause mortality (OR = 0.54, 95% CI [0.34, 0.85], I2 = 0%), but had no significant effect on heart failure-related hospitalizations (OR = 0.72, 95% CI [0.20, 2.66]).

LINKING EVIDENCE TO ACTION

Weight management has effects on improved functional status and reduced all-cause mortality in patients with heart failure. It is necessary to strengthen the weight management interventions of patients with heart failure to improve patients' functional status and reduce all-cause mortality.

Obesity and lipid indices as predictors of depressive symptoms in middle-aged and elderly Chinese: insights from a nationwide cohort study

BACKGROUND

Depressive symptoms are one of the most common psychiatric disorders, with a high lifetime prevalence rate among middle-aged and elderly Chinese. Obesity may be one of the risk factors for depressive symptoms, but there is currently no consensus on this view. Therefore, we investigate the relationship and predictive ability of 13 obesity- and lipid-related indices with depressive symptoms among middle-aged and elderly Chinese.

METHODS

The data were obtained from The China Health and Retirement Longitudinal Study (CHARLS). Our analysis includes individuals who did not have depressive symptoms at the baseline of the CHARLS Wave 2011 study and were successfully follow-up in 2013 and 2015. Finally, 3790 participants were included in the short-term (from 2011 to 2013), and 3660 participants were included in the long-term (from 2011 to 2015). The average age of participants in short-term and long-term was 58.47 years and 57.88 years. The anthropometric indicators used in this analysis included non-invasive [e.g. waist circumference (WC), body mass index (BMI), and a body mass index (ABSI)], and invasive anthropometric indicators [e.g. lipid accumulation product (LAP), triglyceride glucose index (TyG index), and its-related indices (e.g. TyG-BMI, and TyG-WC)]. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis was used to examine the predictive ability of various indicators for depressive symptoms. The association of depressive symptoms with various indicators was calculated using binary logistic regression.

RESULTS

The overall incidence of depressive symptoms was 20.79% in the short-term and 27.43% in the long-term. In males, WC [AUC = 0.452], LAP [AUC = 0.450], and TyG-WC [AUC = 0.451] were weak predictors of depressive symptoms during the short-term (P < 0.05). In females, BMI [AUC = 0.468], LAP [AUC = 0.468], and TyG index [AUC = 0.466] were weak predictors of depressive symptoms during the long-term (P < 0.05). However, ABSI cannot predict depressive symptoms in males and females during both periods (P > 0.05).

CONCLUSION

The research indicates that in the middle-aged and elderly Chinese, most obesity- and lipid-related indices have statistical significance in predicting depressive symptoms, but the accuracy of these indicators in prediction is relatively low and may not be practical predictors.

Factors related to non-adherence to cardiac rehabilitation in patients with heart failure

INTRODUCTION

In heart failure, cardiac rehabilitation has been recommended as an intervention strategy that improves functional capacity, health-related quality of life and survival. However, adherence to these programs is low. The objective was to determine the factors related to non-adherence to cardiac rehabilitation in patients with heart failure in Colombia.

METHOD

Observational and retrospective study. Patients with heart failure were linked in a clinic in Colombia, adherence to cardiac rehabilitation was measured with ≥80% of scheduled sessions. Sociodemographic and clinical variables, functional aerobic capacity (Sit to Stand and 6-minute walk test), Duke Activity Status Index (DASI), quality of life Minnesota Living with Heart Failure Questionnaire (MLFHQ) and depression Patient health questionnaire 9 (PHQ-9) were taken into account.

RESULTS

300 patients were linked with heart failure with age 63.16 ± 12.87 men 194 (64.7%). adherence to cardiac rehabilitation was 66.67%, there were statistically significant differences between the groups in arterial hypertension, LVEF, cholesterol, LDL, Triglycerides, SBP, DBP, distance traveled, VO2e, METs, DASI and PHQ-9 p-value =<0.05. The logistic regression model adjusted for sex and age showed OR for non-adherence to CR arterial hypertension 2.23[1.22-4.07], LDL outside of goals 2.15[1.20-3.88], triglycerides outside goals 2.34[1.35-4.07], DASI<4METs 2.38 [1.04-5.45] and PHQ-9 1.06[1.00-1.12].

CONCLUSION

High blood pressure, LDL, triglycerides, DASI and depression with the PHQ-9 questionnaire are related factors for not having adherence to cardiac rehabilitation in patients with heart failure.

Ischemic cardiomyopathy: epidemiology, pathophysiology, outcomes, and therapeutic options

Ischemic cardiomyopathy (ICM) is the most prevalent cause of heart failure (HF) in developed countries, with significant morbidity and mortality, despite constant improvements in the management of coronary artery disease. Current literature on this topic remains fragmented. Therefore, this review aimed to summarize the most recent data on ICM, focusing on its definition, epidemiology, outcomes, and therapeutic options. The most widely accepted definition is represented by a left ventricular dysfunction in the presence of significant coronary artery disease. The prevalence of ICM is largely influenced by age and sex, with older individuals and males being more affected. Its pathophysiology is characterized by plaque buildup, thrombus formation, hypoperfusion, ischemic cell death, and left ventricular remodeling. Despite improvements in therapy, ICM still represents a public health burden, with a 1-year mortality rate of 16% and a 5-year mortality rate of approximately 40% in the USA and Europe. Therefore, optimization of cardiovascular function, prevention of progressive remodeling, reduction of HF symptoms, and improved survival are the main goals of treatment. Therapeutic options for ICM include lifestyle changes, optimal medical therapy, revascularization, device therapy, mechanical circulatory support, and cardiac transplantation. Personalized management strategies and tailored patient care are needed to improve the outcomes of patients with ICM.

The Degree of Anxiety and Depression in Patients With Cardiovascular Diseases as Assessed Using a Mobile App: Cross-Sectional Study

BACKGROUND

Depression and anxiety are common comorbidities in cardiovascular clinic outpatients. Timely identification and intervention of these mental and psychological disorders can contribute to correct diagnosis, better prognosis, less medical expenses, and improved quality of life. The convenience of online doctor-patient communication platforms has increasingly attracted patients to online consultations. However, online health care and offline health care are very different. Research on how to identify psychological disorders in patients who engage in an online cardiology consultation is lacking.

OBJECTIVE

This study aimed to explore the feasibility of using a self-rating scale to assess mental illness among patients who consult with a cardiologist online and to compare the differences in anxiety and depression between online and offline patients.

METHODS

From June 2022 to July 2022, we conducted follow-up visits with 10,173 patients on the Haodf platform. We conducted detailed consultations with 286 patients who visited the same cardiologist in the outpatient department. We used the self-rated Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD-7) and Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9) scales to assess anxiety and depression, respectively. We analyzed the influencing factors related to the degree of coordination of online patients. We also compared the prevalence of anxiety or depression between online and offline patients and analyzed the factors related to anxiety or depression.

RESULTS

Of the 10,173 online consultation patients, only 186 (1.8%) responded effectively. The response rate of the offline consultation patients was 96.5% (276/286). Frequent online communication and watching live video broadcasts were significantly related to effective responses from online patients (P<.001). The prevalence of anxiety (70/160, 43.7% vs 69/266, 25.8%; P<.001) or depression (78/160, 48.7% vs 74/266, 27.7%; P<.001) in online consultation patients was significantly higher than that in offline patients. In bivariate analyses, the factors related to anxiety included female sex, unemployment, no confirmed cardiovascular disease, and the online consultation mode, while smokers and those who underwent COVID-19 quarantine were less likely to present with anxiety. The factors related to depression included female sex, divorced or separated individuals, and the online consultation mode. COVID-19 quarantine was related with a lower likelihood of depression. BMI was negatively correlated with depression. In multiple ordered logistic regression analysis, women were more likely than men to present with anxiety (odds ratio [OR] 2.181, 95% CI 1.365-3.486; P=.001). Women (OR 1.664, 95% CI 1.082-2.559; P=.02) and online patients (OR 2.631, 95% CI 1.305-5.304; P=.007) were more likely to have depression.

CONCLUSIONS

Online patients had more anxiety or depression than offline patients. Anxiety was more prevalent in women, the unemployed, and those without confirmed cardiovascular disease. Women and divorced or separated individuals were more prone to depression. Increasing the frequency of doctor-patient communication and participating in video interactions can help improve patient cooperation.