Association of depression with atrial fibrillation in patients with arterial hypertension

Abstract

The objective: Studying the relationship between depression and atrial fibrillation (AF) in patients with arterial hypertension (AH). Material and methods: A total of 69 women aged over 57 with arterial hypertension stage II-III were examined. The subjects were distributed: 1st group - 35 women with sinus rhythm, the second - 34 women with AF. Quantitative data with a normal distribution were assessed using Student's t-test. In assessing the psychological status, the hospital anxiety and depression HADS scale were used. The qualitative variables were compared using Pearson's test. The association of the level of depression with AF was estimated by calculating the odds ratios (OR) and their 95% confidence intervals (CI). In order to detect hidden, common factors explaining the relationship between depression and AF, a factor analysis was performed. Results: The frequency of clinically severe depression in the group of patients with AF was significantly higher (, p = 0.003). The assessment of the effect of depression on the development of AF in patients with a subclinical level of depression, OR was 0.76 (with 95% CI from 0.26 to 2.26; p> 0.05), in patients with clinically pronounced levels of depression - 9.0 (with 95% CI from 1.88 to 44.18; p <0.05). The factor analysis revealed that depression contributes to the development of AF in patients with hypertension. Conclusion: The psychological status of women with hypertension and AF, clinically severe depression was observed in 35.3% of patients. Chance to meet with AF in patients with clinically severe depression is 9 times higher than in patients with subclinical depression. Factor analysis showed that in 7.01% of cases, depression contributes to the development of AF in patients with hypertension.