Determining Holistic Factors Related to Depressive Symptoms in Patients With Heart Failure

Abstract

Identifying modifiable factors associated with depressive symptoms is important to develop corresponding strategies. This study aimed to determine the holistic factors related to depressive symptoms in heart failure (HF) patients. It was a secondary analysis of a cross-sectional study. We recruited 329 hospitalized HF patients from two hospitals in China. It is found that HF patients had a relatively high proportion (28.27%) of depressive symptoms. Red blood cell distribution width (RDW) (β = .222, p = .011) and physical symptoms (β = .151, p < .001) were positively associated with depressive symptoms, whereas resilience (β = −.241, p < .01) and family functioning (β = −.288, p = .001) were negatively associated with depressive symptoms. Thus, early screening and management of depressive symptoms are warranted. RDW may serve as a marker for screening depressive symptoms. Moreover, interventions focused on relieving physical symptoms and enhancing resilience and family functioning may reduce depressive symptoms.