Depression and Effect of Mortality in Hospitalized Patients with Decompensated Heart Failure

Introduction: Hearth failure frequently seems with depression and increases the morbidity and mortality with worse prognosis. In this study, we aimed to investigate the psychological situation of decompensated syctolic heart failure (DSHF) patients and applied medical and psychological therapy to them.Materials and Methods: Totally 71 patients enrolled to the study which entered to Cardiology Department of Abant Izzet Baysal University Medical School Hospital with diagnosis of functional class II-IV DSHF according to New York Cardiology Association classification and ejection fraction (EF) of 40% or lower. These patients were divided into two groups (Group A: NHYA grade 2-3, Group B NYHA grade 4). The depression of patients were evaluated by geriatric depression scale (GDS).Results: Twenty one (29.6%) of 71 patients had depression consisting of 8 (38%) male and 13 (62%) female. The depression in female patients were significantly different from male patients (p< 0.05). GDS scores were significantly higher in group B patients (p< 0.05). There was a positive corelation between GDS scores and age (r= 0.648, p= 0.023) and female patients have had significantly higher GDS scores (p< 0.05). The adaptation to the treatment was significantly better in non-depressive patients (p< 0.05). There was a positive corelation between the hospital entrance number due to NC-SHF and GDS scores in all DSHF (r= 0.415, p< 0.05). On the other hand, there was a negative corelation between the EF and GDS scores (r= -0.307, p= 0.019).Conclusion: Depression is frequently seen in patients with DSHF. These patients should be carefully followed against psychiatric symptoms to give adequate treatment.