P0192 - The outcome of treatment with antidepressants in patients with hypertension and unrecognised depression

Abstract

The link between two very common illnesses, hypertension and depression, has not yet been adequately examined.

The aim of this research was to determine if the taking of antidepressive therapy in combination with antihypertensive therapy leads to improved blood pressure regulation.

Methods:

The research was conducted in two family medicine practices. By using the Beck depression inventary and SCID module for depression among the patients with hypertension and no previous psychiatric history, a group with elevated depression was recognised. Half of them were taking both antihypertensive and antidepressive therapy over the course of 24 weeks while the other half was taking antihypertensive therapy only.

Results:

Out of 452 patients with arterial hypertension, 134 (29,64%) have been found with elevated depression. Patients with both arterial hypertension and depression had significantly higher values of sistolic blood pressure (155/138 mmHg, Z=9,77, p<0,001). and significantly higher values of diastolic blood pressure (88/81 mmHg, Z=10,57, p<0,001) comparing to nondepressive patients with hypertension. 73 patients were subjected to antidepressive therapy along with the antihypertensives. The controls were 61 patients which were taking antihypertonics only. After the 24 weeks, the 73 patients had significantly lower values of the sistolic (128/155 mmHg,

Z = 7,42, p<0,001) and diastolic blood pressure (73/90 mmHg, Z= 7,36, p<0,001) comparing to first measurement while that was not the case in the control group.