Depression Among Congestive Heart Failure Patients: Results of a Survey from Central China

BACKGROUND: Congestive heart failure (CHF), a chronic debilitating disease, is often accompanied by anxiety and/or depression, even after optimal control with therapy. The aims of our study were to estimate the frequency of depression among Chinese patients suffering from CHF and to assess the association of depression with their clinical parameters. METHODS: A questionnaire-based study was conducted at Tongji Medical College hospital, Wuhan, China from June 2009 to May 2010. 200 patients with systolic CHF [Left Ventricular Ejection fraction (LVEF) <40%] were classified according to NYHA Functional Classification for heart failure. Depression was evaluated by Beck Depression Inventory (BDI). Patients with a previous history of major depression, psychological disorders, or severe debilitating diseases were excluded. Chi-square and t-test were used to assess the relationship between variables.