Comparison of depression in patients with hypertension and control group

Background: Depression is a common mental disorder that seems to be more common in patients with hypertension compared to the general population. The purpose of this study was to compare the depression rate between the patients with hypertension and control group.

Methods: In this case-control study, 125 patients with hypertension and 153 non‐hypertension participants were recruited by convenience sampling method. Data were collected through demographic form and Beck Depression Inventory 2 (BDI‐II) and analyzed by independent t-test.

Results: The mean score of depression in patients with hypertension (20.4 ±12.2) was significantly higher compared with that of the control group (14.8±11.1) (P=0.001). This score in women with hypertension (23.4±13) was significantly higher compared with women in the control group (15.7±11.06) (P=0.001). However, the mean score of depression in men with hypertension was not significantly different than the men in control group. Also, the mean score of depression in women with hypertension (23.4±13) was significantly higher than the men with hypertension (17.4±10.6) (P=0.006). The mean score of depression in the patients with hypertension aged 20-34 years (23.9±13.7) was significantly higher than that of the samples in control group (16.4±11.47) (P=0.002). This score, however, in patients with hypertension aged 35-50 years (20.6±13) was significantly higher than that of the participants in control group (13.1±11.9) (P=0.004).  

Conclusions: Depression in patients with hypertension, especially women and people <50 years old was more than healthy people. According to the obtained results, screening, medication and psychotherapy of the depressed patients with hypertension is necessary.