Abstract
Background: Exploring the relationship between polypharmacy behaviors and depressive symptoms in patients with chronic diseases is crucial for public health. The purpose of this study was to explore the relationship between polypharmacy behaviors and depression in patients with chronic diseases.
Methods: A cluster sampling survey of patients with chronic diseases was initially conducted in March-April 2019 in 8 administrative districts of Wuhan. Depressive symptoms were measured using the Center for Epidemiological Studies-Depression Scale (CES-D10). To reduce confounding bias, the propensity score weighting method was applied, then a multivariate logistic regression model was conducted to test the relationship between polypharmacy behaviors and depressive symptoms.
Results: Inpatients with polypharmacy behaviors exhibited a higher risk of depressive symptoms (OR=1.58, 95%CI: 1.17-2.16) compared to individuals without polypharmacy behaviors. In addition, higher education level (OR=0.51, 95%CI: 0.30-0.87),physical exercise (OR=0.51, 95%CI: 0.34-0.76) and usage of Chinese medicine for treatment were associated with a lower risk of depressive symptoms. It also has been found that depression was linked to hypertension (OR=1.47, 95%CI: 1.00-2.17), poor (OR=5.15, 95%CI: 3.43-7.84) and fair (OR=2.48, 95%CI: 1.61-3.86) self-rated health status, as well as have more chronic diseases (OR=1.27, 95%CI: 1.11-1.47).
Conclusion: The occurrence of polypharmacy behaviors was significantly related to the patient's depressive symptoms. Furthermore, the patient's health information and educational level were related to depression. For chronic diseases patients who have poor mental health, interventions should be taken to reduce their inappropriate polypharmacy behaviors.