A Study of Prevalence of Major Depressive Disorder in Patients with Hypertension Attending a Medical Clinic

Abstract

Abstract Objectives: In this study, we intended to assess the prevalence of major depressive disorder (MDD) in hypertensive patients who were attending a medical clinic. We also assessed various sociodemographic and other factors related to MDD in patients with hypertension. Methods: We did a cross-sectional study at the medical clinic of Pandit Dindayal Upadhyay Medical College and Hospital, Rajkot, Gujarat, India. The study included 256 hypertensive patients from September 2020 to May 2021. Patients were evaluated in detail for demographic and clinical histories and mental status examination. Diagnosis of MDD was made using the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition criteria. Their severity of MDD was assessed using the Hamilton Rating Scale for Depression (HAM-D). Results: Out of 256 hypertensive patients, 60 (23.43%) patients were found to have MDD. With HAM-D assessment, we found that out of 60 patients with MDD, 25 (9.76%) patients had mild depression, 21 (8.20%) moderate depression, 12 (4.68%) severe depression, and 2 (0.78%) very severe depression. A significant association existed between depression and sociodemographic variables of hypertensive patients in domicile (p < 0.05), marital status (p < 0.05), as well as educational level (p < 0.05). A significant association was also found between depression and other medical comorbidities in hypertensive patients (p < 0.05). Conclusion: Our study results showed that the prevalence of MDD was 23.43% among hypertensive patients who attended the medical clinic. Physicians and mental health professionals should work together to prompt diagnosis and timely referral to a psychiatric facility for proper evaluation and treatment of MDD among those hypertensive patients.