BACKGROUND: In patients with left-heart disease, depressive symptoms have a significant impact on functional status and quality of life. The prevalence of depressive symptoms, and their impact on patients with pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) is understudied. OBJECTIVE: The authors investigated the prevalence of depressive symptoms in PAH and their correlation with physical functioning. METHOD: Consecutive outpatients with PAH (idiopathic; or associated with scleroderma, congenital heart disease, or anorexiant use) seen in two university PAH clinics were screened. At two outpatient visits, 8 to 16 weeks apart, patients completed the PHQ-8, a well-validated instrument for grading severity of depressive symptoms; they were assessed for cardiac functional class (FC), and performed a 6-minute walk-distance test (6MWD). RESULTS: A group of 100 patients (88% women, 50% with idiopathic PAH) were enrolled. At baseline, 15% of subjects had symptoms suggestive of major depressive disorder; 40% had mild-to-moderate depressive symptoms; and 45% had no-to-minimal depressive symptoms. CONCLUSION: Depression is common in patients with PAH, with 55% demonstrating depressive symptoms. These results suggest that screening patients with PAH will identify a large proportion of patients who might benefit from depression therapy.
BACKGROUND: In patients with left-heart disease, depressive symptoms have a significant impact on functional status and quality of life. The prevalence of depressive symptoms, and their impact on patients with pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) is understudied. OBJECTIVE: The authors investigated the prevalence of depressive symptoms in PAH and their correlation with physical functioning. METHOD: Consecutive outpatients with PAH (idiopathic; or associated with scleroderma, congenital heart disease, or anorexiant use) seen in two university PAH clinics were screened. At two outpatient visits, 8 to 16 weeks apart, patients completed the PHQ-8, a well-validated instrument for grading severity of depressive symptoms; they were assessed for cardiac functional class (FC), and performed a 6-minute walk-distance test (6MWD). RESULTS: A group of 100 patients (88% women, 50% with idiopathic PAH) were enrolled. At baseline, 15% of subjects had symptoms suggestive of major depressive disorder; 40% had mild-to-moderate depressive symptoms; and 45% had no-to-minimal depressive symptoms. CONCLUSION:Depression is common in patients with PAH, with 55% demonstrating depressive symptoms. These results suggest that screening patients with PAH will identify a large proportion of patients who might benefit from depression therapy.
Authors: Ali Sadoughi; Kari E Roberts; Ioana R Preston; Ginny P Lai; Deborah H McCollister; Harrison W Farber; Nicholas S Hill Journal: Chest Date: 2013-08 Impact factor: 9.410
Authors: Andrea Huppertz; Lars Werntz; Andreas D Meid; Kathrin I Foerster; Jürgen Burhenne; David Czock; Gerd Mikus; Walter E Haefeli Journal: Br J Clin Pharmacol Date: 2018-10-11 Impact factor: 4.335
Authors: Lea Ann Matura; Corey E Ventetuolo; Harold I Palevsky; David J Lederer; Evelyn M Horn; Stephen C Mathai; Diane Pinder; Christine Archer-Chicko; Emilia Bagiella; Kari E Roberts; Russell P Tracy; Paul M Hassoun; Reda E Girgis; Steven M Kawut Journal: Ann Am Thorac Soc Date: 2015-03