Abstract 16782: Depression and Its Relationship With Uncontrolled Hypertension: A Single Urban Center Experience

Abstract

Introduction: Depression and hypertension (HTN) contribute to cardiovascular risks with studies showing that depression increases the risk of developing HTN. However, the impact of depression on blood pressure control in patients with HTN remains unclear. The study aimed to investigate the incidence of depression in patients with uncontrolled HTN. Methods: A matched-pair analysis was conducted on 9,046 patients with diagnosis of HTN at a single-center Internal Medicine clinic between 2019 and 2022. Demographic variables, co-morbidities, blood pressure and PHQ 9 scores were recorded. Uncontrolled HTN was defined as BP ≥140/90 mmHg, and PHQ-9 scores ≥ 4 indicated depression. Age- and gender-matched patients with controlled HTN were included for comparison. Results: Among 9,046 patients with HTN, 1,886 (20.4%) had uncontrolled HTN. Patients with uncontrolled HTN were older (57.43 ±17.02 vs 46.68 ± 18.6, p=0.000) and more likely to be black (34.1 % vs 29.1%, p<0.000) compared to those with controlled HTN. In the matched-pair analysis (3,660 patients), no significant difference in incidence of depression was observed in patients between uncontrolled and controlled HTN (389 vs 377, p=0.626). Patients with uncontrolled HTN had a higher prevalence of congestive heart failure (150 vs 113, p=0.018) and chronic kidney disease (211 vs 167, p=0.017). Conclusions: This single-center matched-pair analysis suggest that depression is not associated with inadequate blood pressure control, despite its role in increasing the risk of developing HTN in prior studies. Optimal blood pressure control plays a crucial role in preventing development of co-morbid conditions as seen in our study. A holistic approach to HTN management and factors beyond depression should be considered. Further research is warranted to gain a deeper understanding of the relationship between depression, HTN, and cardiovascular outcomes, enabling more targeted interventions and improved patient care.