People diagnosed with heart failure are 20% more likely to develop depression or anxiety than cancer patients, a new study has found.
Study author Dr Mark Luedde, of the Cardiological Group Practice, Bremerhaven, Germany, said the findings demonstrate that heart failure patients could benefit from more support, similar to the established psycho-oncology support given to cancer patients.
The research, published in the European Journal of Preventative Cardiology, used data from the German Disease Analyser database, which includes about 3% of outpatient practices, to compare the combined incidence of depression and anxiety in the five years following a diagnosis of heart failure or cancer.
It included 96,772 patients with heart failure, 21,261 patients with breast cancer, 16,478 patients with prostate cancer, and 29,479 patients with cancer of the digestive organs from 1,274 general practices between 2000 and 2018.
Within five years of diagnosis, 23.1% of heart failure patients had developed depression or anxiety compared to 25.7%, 22.1%, and 15.0% of patients with breast, digestive, and prostate cancers, respectively.
When compared to cancer overall, heart failure patients had a significantly higher risk of developing depression or anxiety with a hazard ratio of 1.20 (95% confidence interval 1.18-1.23; p<0.001).
The risk of depression or anxiety for heart failure patients was 66% higher than those with prostate cancer and 17% higher than those with gastrointestinal cancer. Risks of depression and anxiety were similar between heart failure patients and those with breast cancer.
Dr Luedde said: “The high incidence of depression and anxiety in heart failure patients shows the importance of these problems. While we did not investigate the causes of mental health issues, the even higher occurrence in those with breast cancer may be connected to a fear of recurrence.
“The rising incidence of psychological problems over time in both heart failure and cancer could be due to limitations on daily activities caused by fatigue, impaired mobility, and other debilitating symptoms.
“Psychological support services for patients with cancer are relatively common. However, more help is needed for those with heart failure – of whom almost one-quarter develop depression or anxiety after their diagnosis.”
Loosen SH, Roderburg C, Jahn JK, et al. Heart failure and depression: a comparative analysis with different types of cancer. Eur J Prev Cardiol 13 May 2021
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