Depression as a Clinical Determinant of Dependence and Low Quality of Life in Elderly Patients with Cardiovascular Disease

Abstract

BackgroundThe aging process promotes a progressive increase in chronic-degenerative diseases. The effect of these diseases on the functional capacity has been well recognized. Another health parameter concerns “quality of life related to health”. Among the elderly population, cardiovascular diseases stand out due to the epidemiological and clinical impact. Usually, these diseases have been associated with others. This set of problems may compromise both independence and quality of life in elderly patients who seek cardiologic treatment. These health parameters have not been well contemplated by cardiologists.ObjectiveEvaluating, among the elderly population with cardiovascular disease, which are the most relevant clinical determinants regarding dependence and quality of life.MethodsThis group was randomly and consecutively selected and four questionnaires were applied: HAQ, SF-36, PRIME-MD e Mini Mental State.ResultsThe study included 1,020 elderly patients, 63.3% women. The group had been between 60 and 97 years-old (mean: 75.56 ± 6.62 years-old). 61.4% were independent or mild dependence. The quality of life total score was high (HAQ: 88.66 ± 2.68). 87.8% of patients had a SF-36 total score > 66. In the multivariate analysis, the association between diagnoses and high degrees of dependence was significant only for previous stroke (p = 0.014), obesity (p < 0.001), lack of physical activity (p = 0.016), osteoarthritis (p < 0.001), cognitive impairment (p < 0.001), and major depression (p < 0.001). Analyzing the quality of life, major depression and physical illness for depression was significantly associated with all domains of the SF-36.ConclusionAmong an elderly outpatient cardiology population, dependence and quality of life clinical determinants are not cardiovascular comorbidities, especially the depression.

Brazilian Women's Health after 65 Years of Age

“…Therefore, all data may be of interest in order to understand the health aspects of women older than 65 years age. [1][2][3] Some investigators described the disturbance in the quality of health in patients older than 65 years, 4 particularly due to cardiovascular disease and depression, which may limit the physical activity and contribute to reclusion from society and avoidance of medical consultations, which might aggravate these diseases. In addition, other factors such as race, education, culture, and feeding aspects may explain the disturbances in the wellbeing of women in this period of life.…”

Relação Entre Atividade Física E Depressão Em Idosos: Uma Revisão Integrativa

“…Há uma necessidade de investigações mais abrangentes dos estados depressivos nessa população 7 . Destacam-se, nesse ponto, os tratamentos não medicamentosos, como a realização de atividade física regular.…”

Health Demands Characteristics and Quality of Life in the Elderly Monitored in the Primary Care

“…The aging process occurs through physiological and motor changes that occur in the body, with relative consistency for the onset of chronic diseases, as well as functional and cognitive decline, and the onset of depression [6][7]. This shows the repercussions not only on functionality, mobility, and autonomy but also on health-related quality of life, understood by several domains that have important implications for the evaluation of the effects of therapeutic interventions [6,[8][9].…”

“…This shows the repercussions not only on functionality, mobility, and autonomy but also on health-related quality of life, understood by several domains that have important implications for the evaluation of the effects of therapeutic interventions [6,[8][9].…”