Measurement of depressive symptoms among cardiac patients: should sex differences be considered?

Confounding of depressive and cardiac symptoms may hold implications for assessment. This study investigated psychometric properties and sex differences in two depression scales among cardiac patients. Cardiac inpatients from 11 hospitals were recruited and completed a mailed survey including the Beck Depression Inventory-II and Gotland Scale of Male Depression 1 year later. The scales were significantly correlated and both were associated with social desirability. Females scored higher than males on the fatigue factor only (p < .001). Psychometric properties of the Beck Depression Inventory-II were more favorable in this population. Practitioners must not overlook reports of fatigue in female cardiac patients.