Introduction: Hypertension is a major public health issue worldwide, affecting millions of patients. Although control rates have improved during the past few years, the actual rate is still unacceptably low, and control rates in more vulnerable populations, like people living with diabetes mellitus, are even lower. Optimal BP control could prevent a high percentage of coronary heart disease events, and early BP control significantly reduces the risk of stroke and cardiovascular events Depression is usually not detected at primary levels, and patients do not typically receive adequate treatment, which may not only affect their quality of life, but may also interfere with the treatment and prognosis of other chronic diseases such as ischemic heart disease and stroke.
Material and Methods: 46 hypertensive patients undergoing antihypertensive therapy for longer than six months were included in the study. After a 5 min of rest period, measurement of BP was recorded in triplicate at 3 min intervals between measurements. Adherence to antihypertensive therapy was monitored. All patients completed the Zung Self-rating Depression Scale survey; depression was diagnosed if the patient scored >50 points (the maximum possible score using this scale was 80). The Zung Self-rating Depression Scale is said to be a sensitive measure of clinical severity in depressed patients.
Results: Out of 46 patients there were 22 (47.8%) female and 24(52.2%) male. Patients who were depressed were 20 (43.5%) of which 8(40%) were male and 12 (60%) were female. Of the total 20 depressed patients 1 male having controlled hypertension while 19 (80%) were in the group of uncontrolled diabetes. In controlled hypertension group only 1 mild depression patient was observed while in uncontrolled group of the 19 patients 10 (50%) were having mild, 8 (40%) were having moderate and 1 (20%) were having severe depression according the Zung Self-rating Depression Scale. Mean blood pressure in depressed controlled BP group was 128/73 mmHg while in depressed uncontrolled group was 149/90 mmHg. Mean blood pressure in normal controlled BP group was 121/75mmHg while in depressed uncontrolled group was 146/95 mmHg. There was a significant correlation observed between depression and systolic and diastolic blood pressure value (P<0.001).
Conclusion: Depression is common in patients having uncontrolled hypertension and screening of depression in hypertensive patients is simple and effective tool to control the hypertension.
Keywords: Hypertension, Depression, controlled, uncontrolled.
Associations between blood pressure and lipid and protein metabolism and acetylator status in patients with ischaemic heart disease and arterial hypertension.
