Chronic heart failure, depression, and its links to selected aspects: a cross-sectional study

Abstract

Background: The symptoms of chronic heart failure affect patients’ emotional and physical well-being. Objectives: The aim of this cross-sectional study was to determine the prevalence of depression in hospitalized patients with chronic heart failure and its links to selected aspects. Methods: Depression was assessed with the Patient Health Questionnaire-9, data were obtained on functional independence, NYHA classes, illness perception, quality of life, and social support. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, the Kruskal–Wallis test, and Spearman’s correlation coefficient at a 5% level of significance. Results: The sample comprised 173 patients with a mean age of 71.51 years (min. 50; max. 92), of whom 56.07% were males. Depression was identified in 47.40% of subjects; the mean score was 5.65 (SD = 4.61). Depression was more frequent in NYHA classes III and IV (p = 0.0018), as well as in patients with decreasing independence (p = 0.0002). Correlation analysis using Spearman’s coefficient suggested that an increasing prevalence of depression was associated with lower quality of life (rSp = 0.5470; p < 0.05), illness perception (rSp = 0.537; p < 0.05), and social support (rSp = –0.2439; p < 0.05). Conclusions: Depression may be influenced by numerous aspects. To effectively manage depression, these aspects must be known. In hospital patients, one option could be a comprehensive intervention by a palliative team.