The Impact of Cardiovascular Diseases on Late Life Depression

摘要

Objectives: evaluating the impact of cardiovascular diseases on the outcome of late life depression. Material and methods: The study was conducted on 62 patients diagnosed with late life depression, admitted in the Psychiatric Clinic of Arad between 2011- 2013. 75% were diagnosed also with cardiovascular diseases. The patients were evaluated (physical and from psychiatric point of view) at the admission, at discharge and after 6 months. The intensity of depression was quoted with Hamilton Rating Scale of Depression (HAM-D). Cortisolemia was also evaluated. Results: 42 patients (67.7%) were diagnosed with moderate depression (n=42), only 6 patients had mild depression and 14patients severe depression. The average of HAMD scores was higher (19.8points) in the patients with cardiovascular diseases compared with patients without co-morbidity. 38.7%(n=24) of the patients present increased values of cortisolemia, especially the patients with severe depression and cardiovascular diseases. The evolution of the patients without co-morbidity was better (3.6vs.3.2points at discharge and 3.9 vs 3.3points after 6months) compared to those with co-morbidity. The period of hospitalization was longer to the patients with cardiovascular; the mean of hospitalization days was 19 vs17. Conclusions: The cardiovascular diseases is a negative prognostic factor regarding the outcome of late life depression, this co-morbidity increases hospitalization period and the costs in consequence