Self-reported depression in patients with coronary heart disease

Leonard A. Doerfler, Assumption College
Lori Pbert, University of Massachusetts Medical School
Diana DeCosimo, University of Massachusetts Medical School

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Assessing depression in cardiac patients is challenging because somatic symptoms of depression may be the result of physical illness. This study examined self-reported symptoms of depression in patients with cardiovascular disease.

METHOD: Three hundred six patients with cardiovascular disease completed the Inventory to Diagnose Depression (IDD), which is a self-report depression scale.

RESULTS: Practically all patients reported some symptoms on the IDD, but only a small number had scores in the range suggestive of depression. Somatic symptoms did not contribute disproportionately to depression scores but affective and cognitive symptoms were stronger indicators of depression in these patients. Factor analysis identified one factor that represented a general syndrome of depression.

CONCLUSIONS: The results suggest that the IDD has promise as a measure to screen for depression in cardiac patients.