Predicting factors of depression in patients with primary hypertension: a community-based study

Abstract

OBJECTIVETo investigate the factors that may predict the occurrence of depression in patients with primary hypertension.METHODSWe conducted a cross-sectional survey on 891 hypertensive patients and 651 normal subjects (control group) from a single community. Zung self-rating depression scale (SDS) was applied to evaluate the symptoms of depression, which was diagnosed when the SDS score was >41.RESULTSThere was no significant difference in gender distribution (female, 48.5 vs. 47.6%) and age (65.3±9.2 vs. 64.0±7.9 years) between the hypertensive control groups (P>0.05). Depression was diagnosed in 139 hypertensive patients (15.6%) and 27 (4.2%) control subjects (P<0.01). The average SDS score was higher in patients with hypertension duration of more than 3 years (33.3±9.0 vs. 30.6±7.6, P<0.001), in patients with severe hypertension (44.0±7.8 vs. 28.9±4.9, P<0.001) and in patients with a history of hospitalization for cardiovascular disorders (38.1±9.3 vs. 32.0±8.4, P<0.001). Multivariate regression analysis showed that the degree and the duration of hypertension, as well as hospitalization history, were independent predictors of depression in the hypertensive patients.CONCLUSIONSHypertension is associated with a higher prevalence of depression that can be predicted by the duration and severity of hypertension as well as a history of hospitalization.