Family History Of Depression Research Articles

Age-dependent associations with the risk of mental disorders in patients with myocardial infarction: a UK Biobank cohort study

Abstract Background Despite an overall decrease in cardiovascular mortality in recent decades due to effective preventive strategies, a concerning trend is emerging among young adults, with a rising incidence of myocardial infarction (MI) and its poor prognosis. Previous studies report that a significant association between mental disorders and the incidence and prognosis of MI. However, a detailed age-specific information is still lacking. Purpose We aimed to determine whether the risk of developing mental disorders after MI differs based on age and to stratify individuals at a higher risk. Methods From the UK Biobank prospective database (n=502,386), we collected data on patients with a prior MI (n=10,840) and compared them to age- and sex-matched controls (n=54,197) in a 1:5 ratio. Diagnoses of mental disorders were ascertained through linked hospital admission and mortality data, using the appropriate ICD-10-CM codes. Mental disorders were defined by at least two inpatient or outpatient claims within 1 year. The primary outcome was a composite of incident mental disorders, including depression, anxiety, stress-related, and somatoform disorders. Follow-up was done until the first diagnosis of mental disorders or the end of 2022. Results During a median follow-up of 13.7 years (interquartile range 12.8-14.5 years), the incidence rate of the primary outcome was 9.28 vs. 5.37/1,000 person-years among patients with MI and controls, respectively (p<0.001). A prior MI history demonstrated an independent association with the risk of incident mental disorders, yielding an adjusted hazard ratio (aHR) of 1.41 (95% confidence interval [CI], 1.29–1.54; p<0.001) after adjusting for confounders. This was comparable to heavy drinking and family history of depression. Notably, the risk of mental disorders attributed to previous MI was more prominent in younger individuals aged <55 years than their older counterpart (aHR 1.61 vs. 1.33) (p-for-interaction 0.020). Similar results were observed in the analysis of two important components: depression and anxiety disorder. Furthermore, in younger patients with MI (<55 years), mental disorders significantly increased the risk of mortality, while not in older patients. Conclusion MI was associated with a higher risk of incident mental disorders, resulting in poor prognosis, particularly in young individuals. Active surveillance and prevention for incident mental disorders after young MI may be beneficial.Cumulative Incidence of Mental Disorders

Interaction of Val66Met Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor and 5-HTTLPR Serotonin Transporter Gene Polymorphisms with Lifetime Prevalence of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder in Primary Care Patients

Background/Objectives: Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a complex condition influenced by both genetic and environmental factors. This longitudinal study aimed to explore the connection between two specific genetic polymorphisms, Val66Met and 5-HTTLPR, and the lifetime prevalence of PTSD in patients from primary care settings. We also examined the role of sociodemographic and psychosocial factors to provide a more comprehensive view of PTSD risk. Methods: We recruited a cohort of primary care patients and diagnosed PTSD using a standardized diagnostic interview. Genetic analyses focused on Val66Met and 5-HTTLPR polymorphisms. We applied logistic regression to assess the association between these genetic markers and PTSD, considering factors such as gender, family history of depression, and experiences of childhood maltreatment. Results: Our findings show that women, individuals with a family history of depression, and those exposed to childhood maltreatment have a higher risk of developing PTSD. While the Val66Met polymorphism was not significantly associated with PTSD, the 5-HTTLPR polymorphism showed a marginal relationship. No significant interaction was found between the two polymorphisms in relation to PTSD. Conclusions: This study underscores the multifactorial nature of PTSD, influenced by both genetic and environmental factors. The findings point to the importance of further research on genetic predispositions and highlight the value of early interventions for high-risk populations in primary care settings.

Impact of air pollution exposure on the severity of major depressive disorder: Results from the DeprAir study.

Major depressive disorder (MDD) is one of the most prevalent medical conditions worldwide. Different factors were found to play a role in its etiology, including environmental ones (e.g., air pollution). The aim of this study was to evaluate the association between air pollution exposure and MDD severity. Four hundred sixteen MDD subjects were recruited. Severity of MDD and functioning were evaluated through five rating scales: Montgomery-Asberg Depression Rating Scale (MADRS), Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (HAMD), Clinical Global Impression (CGI), Global Assessment of Functioning (GAF), and Sheehan Disability Scale (SDS). Daily mean estimates of particulate matter with diameter ≤10 (PM10) and 2.5 μm (PM2.5), nitrogen dioxide (NO2), and apparent temperature (AT) were estimated based on subjects' residential addresses. Daily estimates of the 2 weeks preceding recruitment were averaged to obtain cumulative exposure. Multivariate linear and ordinal regression models were applied to assess the associations between air pollutants and MDD severity, overall and stratifying by hypersusceptibility and AT. Two-thirds of subjects were women and one-third had a family history of depression. Most women had depression with symptoms of anxiety, while men had predominantly melancholic depression. NO2 exposure was associated with worsening of MDD severity (HAMD: β = 1.94, 95% confidence interval [CI], [0.41-3.47]; GAF: β = -1.93, 95% CI [-3.89 to 0.02]), especially when temperatures were low or among hypersusceptible subjects. PM exposure showed an association with MDD severity only in these subgroups. Exposure to air pollution worsens MDD severity, with hypersusceptibility and lower temperatures being exacerbating factors.

The unseen burden: the tangled web of paternal postpartum depression and childhood resilience

Postpartum depression (PPD) is a significant mental health disorder that has received little attention (both clinically and experimentally) and is underdiagnosed. PPD is most associated with mothers after giving birth. However, it may also affect fathers for unknown reasons. Poverty, a family history of depression, and hormonal changes are all risk factors for PPD in fathers. Although not much is known about paternal PPD, research indicates that it is often 8.7% prevalent in the first year, peaking between 3 and 6 months after childbirth (9.2%).

Prevalence and risk factors of depression in juvenile systemic lupus erythematosus

Background Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is a chronic autoimmune disease that affects multiple organ systems, including the central nervous system. Depression is one of the neuropsychiatric manifestations of juvenile SLE . Objective To estimate the prevalence of depressive disorders in juvenile SLE and identify its potential risk factors. Methods This cross-sectional study was conducted in juvenile SLE patients at Dr. Mohammad Hoesin General Hospital, Palembang. Sociodemographic data and medications were recorded. Disease activity of SLE was assessed using the Systemic Lupus Erythematosus Disease Activity Index (SLEDAI). Physical activity was measured using the Physical Activity Questionnaire for Children (PAQ-C) and the Physical Activity Questionnaire for Adolescents (PAQ-A). All subjects were screened for depression using the Childhood Depression Inventory (CDI) questionnaire. Multiple linear regression analyses were used to determine risk factors for depressive disorders. Results We included 72 patients, of whom 67 (93.1%) were female. Mean age of the patients was 12 years 4 months (SD 2 years 6 months); most (67; 93.1%) were 10-18 years of age. Depression was found in 24 patients (33.3%). SLEDAI scores of ?3 (flare) were found in 54 patients (75%) and low physical activity was found in 62 (86.1%) patients. The prevalence of depression based on the Children's Depression Inventory was 33.3%. A SLEDAI score of ?3 and low physical activity were significantly associated with depression (P=0.009 and P=0.025, respectively). On multiple linear regression analysis, only SLEDAI score of ?3 remained significantly associated with depression (P= 0.017; OR 12.6; 95%CI 1.6–101.7). Gender, age, family economic status, father's education, mother's education, family history of depression, and duration of illness were not associated with depression. Conclusion A SLEDAI score indicating flare (?3) and low physical activity are significantly associated with an increased risk of depression. A SLEDAI score is an independent risk factor for depression when all other significant risk factors are considered.

The Impact of Physical Activity on Depression, Anxiety, and Stress during Pregnancy in Saudi Arabia: A Cross-Sectional Study.

Background and Objective: This study aimed to explore the impact of physical activity on depression, anxiety, and stress among pregnant women in the Jazan region of Saudi Arabia. Materials and Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted among pregnant women attending randomly selected prenatal clinics in primary healthcare hospitals in Jazan, Saudi Arabia. The calculated sample size was 350. Data were collected conveniently through a semi-structured questionnaire covering demographic details, pregnancy-related characteristics, physical activity assessed using the Pregnancy Physical Activity Questionnaire (PPAQ), and mental health parameters evaluated by the Depression, Anxiety, and Stress Scale-21 (DASS-21). The statistical analyses included descriptive statistics and Wilcoxon and Kruskal-Wallis rank sum tests, with significance levels set at p < 0.05. Results: The study involved 406 pregnant females. Nearly a third (31%) had a family history of depression, anxiety, or distress. The prevalence of depression, anxiety, and stress was 62.6%, 68.7%, and 38.4%, respectively. The mean sedentary, light, moderate, vigorous, and total energy expenditures were 1.512, 24.35, 22.32, 4.84, and 53.02 metabolic equivalent tasks/day. Anxious females exhibited higher light activity (median 24, p = 0.033), while stressed ones showed higher light (median 25, p = 0.039), moderate (median 20, p < 0.001), and vigorous activity (median 3, p < 0.001). A significant association was observed between total energy expenditure and stress levels (p < 0.001). Conclusions: This study underscores the importance of physical activity in managing depression, anxiety, and stress among pregnant women in Jazan, Saudi Arabia. The findings suggest a need for tailored interventions to promote physical activity to improve mental well-being during pregnancy.

Reduced approach disposition in familial risk for depression: Evidence from time-frequency alpha asymmetries.

Despite the promising role of alpha and delta power in reflecting reduced approach disposition in depression, to date, it is unclear whether these measures can be employed to identify at-risk individuals. Hence, the present study investigated affective disposition in 32 unaffected individuals with a family history of depression (23 F) and 30 individuals without a family history of depression (21 F) through a data-driven analysis of alpha and delta time-frequency power during the viewing of pleasant, neutral, and unpleasant pictures. Different patterns of posterior alpha asymmetry emerged within each group. Particularly, controls showed greater right posterior alpha desynchronization ~ 600 ms following emotional relative to neutral pictures presentation. Conversely, the group with a family history of depression showed greater posterior left alpha desynchronization only to unpleasant relative to neutral images in a later time window (> 900 ms). Hence, depression vulnerability seems to be characterized by a blunted reactivity to pleasant and delayed reactivity to unpleasant stimuli with a distinct posterior distribution relative to the controls. Finally, the two groups showed a comparable pattern of greater delta power to emotional relative to neutral cues. Overall, initial support was provided for the employment of time-frequency alpha power changes during affective processing in identifying blunted approach disposition in unaffected at-risk individuals.

Factors Associated with Postpartum Depression among Women in Eastern Sudan: A Cross-Sectional Study.

Background and Objectives: Postpartum depression is one of the most common complications of childbirth. While the epidemiology of postpartum depression has been extensively studied in African countries, there is little published data on the topic in Sudan. In addition, no studies have been conducted in Eastern Sudan. This study aims to evaluate the factors associated with postpartum depression among Sudanese women in Gadarif in Eastern Sudan. Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional study (using the systematic random sampling technique) of women presenting to Gadarif Maternity Hospital for postnatal follow-up within six weeks of childbirth was conducted. A questionnaire was used to collect sociodemographic information, and the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale was used to assess postpartum depression. Results: Three hundred women were enrolled in the study. The median (interquartile) age and parity were 30.0 (25.0-34.0) years and 2 (1-4). Thirty-one (10.3%) of the women had postpartum depression. A univariate analysis showed that a past history of depression was the only factor associated with postpartum depression (OR = 3.04, 95% CI = 1.03-8.97). Other investigated factors (age, parity, educational level, occupation, history of previous miscarriage or intrauterine fetal death, a family history of depression, financial support, medical insurance, whether the pregnancy was planned or not, and if the gender of the newborn was known before delivery) were not associated with postpartum depression. Conclusions: The current study showed that 1 out of 10 women had postpartum depression that was associated with a past history of depression. Factors that have been reported to be associated with postpartum depression in African countries (age, parity, education, and occupation) were not found to be associated in this study. Mental health assessment needs to be employed for women in their antenatal and postpartum periods.

Exploring the Interplay between Family History of Depression, Negative Life Events, and Social Support in First-Episode Major Depression: Insights from a Pilot Case-Control Study

Exploring the Interplay between Family History of Depression, Negative Life Events, and Social Support in First-Episode Major Depression: Insights from a Pilot Case-Control Study

Systematic review and meta-analysis on the prevalence and associated factors of depression among hypertensive patients in Ethiopia.

Identifying individuals at increased risk for depression allows for earlier intervention and treatment, ultimately leading to better outcomes and potentially preventing severe symptoms. However, to date, no systematic reviews or meta-analyses have estimated the prevalence of depression among hypertensive patients. Thus, this review was initiated to determine the prevalence and factors associated with depression among patients with hypertension in Ethiopia. Multiple databases, such as PubMed, African Journals Online, the Cochrane Library, and Google Scholar, were used to ensure wider coverage of relevant studies. The data extracted from Microsoft Excel were imported into STATA version 11 (Stata Corp LLC, TX, USA) for further analysis. The pooled prevalence of depression was estimated using a random effects model. To evaluate statistical heterogeneity, the Cochrane Q test and I2 statistic were used. The random effect model indicated that the pooled prevalence of depression in 12 studies conducted in Ethiopia was 32.43% (95% CI: 25.18, 39.67%). Being female (POR = 2.41; 95% CI: 1.89, 3.07, I2 = 17.7%, P = 0.302), having comorbid illnesses (POR = 3.80; 95% CI: 2.09, 6.90, I2 = 81%, P = 0.005), having poor blood pressure control (POR = 3.58; 95% CI: 2.51, 5.12, I2 = 0.0%, P = 0.716), having a family history of depression (POR = 3.43; 95% CI: 1.98, 5.96, I2 = 62.6%, P = 0.069), being single (POR = 2.30; 95% CI: 1.35, 3.99, I2 = 48.0%, P = 0.146) and having poor social support (POR = 4.24; 95% CI: 1.29, 13.98, I2 = 95.8%, P<0.001) were positively associated with depression among hypertensive patients. Overall, the results of our review showed that depression affects a significant number of Ethiopians who have hypertension. Being female, being single, having comorbidities, having poor blood pressure control, having a family history of depression, and having poor social support were factors associated with depression among patients with hypertension. For those who are depressed, improving the psycho-behavioral treatment linkage with the psychiatric unit can result in improved clinical outcomes. Prospero Registration number: CRD42024498447. https://www.crd.york.ac.uk/prospero/display_record.php?ID=CRD42024498447.

High-risk Pregnancy Nursing: Analyzing the Impact of Prenatal Stress, Maternal-Fetal Attachment, and Social Support on Prenatal Depression

Background The purpose of this study is to examine the effects of pregnancy stress, maternal-fetal attachment, and social support on prenatal depression among high-risk pregnant women. This research aims to provide foundational data to assist in preventing prenatal depression in high-risk pregnant women within the nursing field. Methods A study was conducted on 141 high-risk pregnant women diagnosed as high-risk and hospitalized, who were less than 37 weeks pregnant. The study investigated pregnancy stress, maternal-fetal attachment, social support, and general characteristics. The collected data were analyzed using the SPSS WIN 22.0 software, employing methods, such as frequency, percentage, standard deviation, t-test, one-way ANOVA, Pearson's correlation coefficient, Scheffé test, and hierarchical multiple regression analysis. Results The participants showed a positive correlation between prenatal depression and pregnancy stress (r= 0.51, p&lt; 0.001) and negative correlations with maternal-fetal attachment (r=- 0.38, p&lt; 0.001) and social support (r=- 0.50, p&lt; 0.001). Regression analysis revealed that the relationship with the spouse (β=-0.42, p= 0.006), a family history of depression (β= 0.35, p&lt; 0.001), pregnancy stress (β= 0.30, p&lt; 0.001), and maternal-fetal attachment (β=- 0.15, p= 0.033) significantly influenced prenatal depression in that order, with an explanatory power of 52% (F=16.04, p&lt;0.001). Conclusion In managing prenatal depression in high-risk pregnant women, it is essential to identify individuals with strained relationships with their spouses or a family history of depression. Furthermore, implementing educational and nursing intervention programs designed to reduce pregnancy stress and encourage maternal-fetal attachment behaviors is crucial.

A New Pandemic of the XXIst Century: The Growing Crisis of Adolescent Depression in the Digital Age.

In a reality dominated by social media and affected by the recent COVID-19 pandemic, the mental health of people in various age groups has undoubtedly suffered, especially among young people. Statistics confirm that adolescent depression is a significant health problem and is the most common cause of disability in this age group. Research shows the multifactorial basis of this disease entity, placing particular emphasis on the genetic, environmental, and biological background. A family history of depression can increase the risk of developing depression by 4-fold. A teenager, being part of many systems, such as family, school community, and social media co-user, is exposed to many stressors. Maturing youth have a very demanding educational plan to implement, and depression causes a decline in cognitive functions, which are so important in acquiring knowledge. Among many patients, an additional risk is self-harm and suicide, which are part of the clinical picture of depressive disorders. Suicide accounts for about one-third of mortality among youth. We draw attention to the need to increase educational and psychoeducational impacts on adolescent depression, as it is a huge health problem that has an impact on all areas of a young person's life. The trend of depression among adolescents is constantly increasing. The aim of this article is to review the global causes and consequences of the growing number of cases of depression, self-harm, and suicide among children and adolescents, as well as contemporary approaches to management.

A computational approach to understanding effort-based decision-making in depression.

Motivational dysfunction is a core feature of depression, and can have debilitating effects on everyday function. However, it is unclear which disrupted cognitive processes underlie impaired motivation, and whether impairments persist following remission. Decision-making concerning exerting effort to collect rewards offers a promising framework for understanding motivation, especially when examined with computational tools which can offer precise quantification of latent processes. Effort-based decision-making was assessed using the Apple Gathering Task, in which participants decide whether to exert effort via a grip-force device to obtain varying levels of reward; effort levels were individually calibrated and varied parametrically. We present a comprehensive computational analysis of decision-making, initially validating our model in healthy volunteers (N=67), before applying it in a case-control study including current (N=41) and remitted (N=46) unmedicated depressed individuals, and healthy volunteers with (N=36) and without (N=57) a family history of depression. Four fundamental computational mechanisms that drive patterns of effort-based decisions, which replicated across samples, were identified: an overall bias to accept effort challenges; reward sensitivity; and linear and quadratic effort sensitivity. Traditional model-agnostic analyses showed that both depressed groups showed lower willingness to exert effort. In contrast with previous findings, computational analysis revealed that this difference was driven by lower effort acceptance bias, but not altered effort or reward sensitivity. This work provides insight into the computational mechanisms underlying motivational dysfunction in depression. Lower willingness to exert effort could represent a trait-like factor contributing to symptoms, and might represent a fruitful target for treatment and prevention.

Irritability and Risk-Taking Behaviour on the Cambridge Gambling Task (CGT) in Adolescents With a Family History of Depression

Irritability and Risk-Taking Behaviour on the Cambridge Gambling Task (CGT) in Adolescents With a Family History of Depression

Familial risk for depression is associated with reduced physical activity in young adults: evidence from a wrist-worn actigraphy study

Depression is characterized by reduced physical activity and sleep-wake cycle disturbances, often considered important features of the disease. While a few studies have suggested that self-reported reduced physical activity and sleep-wake cycle disturbances might both be linked to depression vulnerability, actigraphy-based measures in vulnerable samples remain largely unexplored. This study relied on actigraphy-based parameters to test whether these disturbances characterize depression vulnerability. Seven-day actigraphy data were collected from 20 (13 female) university students with a high vulnerability to depression, which was determined by the presence of a family history of the condition but no current symptoms, and 32 (21 female) controls with neither a family history of depression nor current depressive symptoms. Daily physical activity, namely gross motor activity, was quantified as average daily acceleration and time spent engaging in moderate-vigorous physical activity (MVPA). The sleep-wake cycle and circadian rhythms were assessed as total sleep duration per night (in hours), sleep within sleep period time (in hours), sleep efficiency (%), and relative amplitude (i.e., the difference between the activity during the day and the night, which reflects circadian rhythms amplitude). Results showed that individuals with a familial risk for depression exhibited reduced daily acceleration and time spent in MVPA relative to the control group, particularly on the weekend during their free time away from scheduled activities. On the other hand, the two groups were comparable in terms of sleep estimates. Taken together, reduced physical activity, but not sleep-wake disturbances, seem to be associated with vulnerability to depression and might be a viable target for identification and prevention efforts.

Voting propensity and parental depression

Among the most prevalent and costly of all illnesses worldwide, depression also has substantive consequences for democratic politics, not least because it is associated with lower voting propensity. One of the most reliable predictors of becoming depressed is a family history of depression, an intergenerational link thought to arise through multiple mechanisms that increase a person's cognitive, behavioural and affective disposition towards depression. We study if a person's voting propensity in adulthood is predicted by their parents' depressive symptomatology during early childhood and whether this is mediated by the likelihood of being depressed in adulthood. We analyse the 1970 British Cohort Study in which persons belonging to a same cohort have been systematically followed from early childhood to midlife. The results show that parents' symptoms of depression predict offspring's voting propensity, especially earlier in adulthood, although the effect is relatively small. Contrary to predictions, the effect is mostly direct.

What predicts response to sertraline for people with depression in primary care? a secondary data analysis of moderators in the PANDA trial.

Antidepressants are a first-line treatment for depression, yet many patients do not respond. There is a need to understand which patients have greater treatment response but there is little research on patient characteristics that moderate the effectiveness of antidepressants. This study examined potential moderators of response to antidepressant treatment. The PANDA trial investigated the clinical effectiveness of sertraline (n = 326) compared with placebo (n = 329) in primary care patients with depressive symptoms. We investigated 11 potential moderators of treatment effect (age, employment, suicidal ideation, marital status, financial difficulty, education, social support, family history of depression, life events, health and past antidepressant use). Using multiple linear regression, we investigated the appropriate interaction term for each of these potential moderators with treatment as allocated. Family history of depression was the only variable with weak evidence of effect modification (p-value for interaction = 0.048), such that those with no family history of depression may have greater benefit from antidepressant treatment. We found no evidence of effect modification (p-value for interactions≥0.29) by any of the other ten variables. Evidence for treatment moderators was extremely limited, supporting an approach of continuing discuss antidepressant treatment with all patients presenting with moderate to severe depressive symptoms.

Prevalence of Depression and Stress-related Anxiety among Adults during the COVID-19 Lockdown: A Study in Ishaka Municipality, Bushenyi District, Western Uganda

The COVID-19 pandemic has not only posed significant challenges to physical health but has also brought about substantial mental health burdens worldwide. This study aimed to assess the prevalence of depression and stress related anxiety among adults aged 18-40 during the COVID-19 lockdown in Ishaka Municipality, Bushenyi District, Western Uganda. A cross-sectional study design was employed, with data collected from 170 participants through researcher-participant interviews. The prevalence of depression and stress-related anxiety was found to be 57%, indicating a high burden compared to pre-pandemic rates. Factors associated with higher rates of depression and anxiety included female gender, older age, marital status (separated, divorced, or widowed), lower education level, unemployment, family history of depression, and underlying medical conditions such as cancer. These findings underscore the importance of addressing mental health needs during public health emergencies like the COVID-19 pandemic. Routine screening and management of mental illnesses, along with targeted interventions to support vulnerable populations, are crucial for mitigating the psychological impact of such crises. Longitudinal studies are recommended to explore causal relationships between depression, anxiety, and underlying health conditions further. Keywords: Covid-19, Depression, Mental health, Prevalence, Stress-related anxiety, cross-sectional study.

Evaluation of depression symptoms and depression literacy among medical students: a cross-sectional study.

Mental health plays an important role in educational performance. The present study aimed to determine the relationship between depression symptoms, depression literacy, and quality of life in undergraduate and postgraduate medical students in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. This cross-sectional survey was conducted in 2023 in Riyadh with 263 medical students. Data were obtained using three different sets of questionnaires (a demographic section, the Depression Literacy Scale, and a quality-of-life questionnaire). In total, 134 men (51%) and 129 women (49%) participated in the study; out of these, 142 participants reported depression, while 109 individuals reported family-related depression. Only 25% of the participants attended depression seminars and workshops in the last year, while 83% felt that depression was an illness. Students with a family history of depression also reported higher levels of depression. Depression was lowest among students who attended depression management seminars or workshops. Marital status did not affect depression among medical students. These findings reveal that depression is widespread among medical students and that counseling and frequent depression assessments are required. There is a need for greater awareness of different aspects of depression among medical students, parents, and medical educators. Health education programs and interventions targeting mental health care can be implemented at the individual, family, and community levels.

Characteristics of Depressed Individuals with Hypertension and/ or Diabetes Mellitus in Primary Health Care in Santiago de Chile

To characterize depressed patients from the cardiovascular program (PCV) of eight family health centers (CESFAM) in two communes of the Metropolitan Region. Secondary analysis of data from a cluster-randomized clinical trial recruiting 359 program enrollees aged 18 years or older with a Patient Health Questionnaire 9-item (PHQ-9) score greater than or equal to 15. The inclusion criteria for participants were to be 18 years of age or older, to have a score on the Patient Health Questionnaire 9-item (PHQ-9) greater than or equal to 15, and to be enrolled in the cardiovascular program of the respective health center. These are mainly women users of the cardiovascular program with depressive symptoms of moderate to severe intensity with a previous depressive history (60.39%), previously treated in a (75.69%). Only 17.7% were using antidepressant drugs at the time of the interview.97.1% of the interviewees were using drugs for hypertension and/or diabetes. These are people with depressive episode, hypertension and/or diabetes who, having a personal and family history of depression, are not receiving pharmacological treatment for depression, which probably affects their quality of life. Better adherence to clinical guidelines for the treatment of depression is required.