title: Depression in the medically ill: management considerations.
abstract: This article reviews the management of depression in three medical conditions associated with a high frequency of depression: coronary artery disease (CAD), cancer, and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection. Major depression significantly increases mortality in patients with CAD. This effect of depression may be mediated by a decrease in heart rate variability. Tricyclic antidepressants (TCAs) possess Type 1A antiarrhythmic activity, which may increase the risk of sudden death. Initial data suggest that tricyclic antidepressants also may decrease heart rate variability. Antidepressant therapy is effective and can improve quality of life for patients with cancer or HIV infection. Strong social support or psychosocial interventions that improve coping skills may positively affect outcome in HIV infection and cancer. Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) and new agents may be well suited for use in depressed patients with medical illnesses because they lack the significant adverse anticholinergic and cardiovascular effects of TCAs and other classes of antidepressants.
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychiatry, University of Florida College of Medicine, Gainesville 32610, USA.
authors.forename: D L
authors.initials: DL
authors.lastname: Evans
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Staab
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Ward
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Leserman
authors.forename: D O
authors.initials: DO
authors.lastname: Perkins
authors.forename: R N
authors.initials: RN
authors.lastname: Golden
authors.forename: J M
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Petitto
mesh_terms: D000163:Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome / Q000523:psychology*; D000928:Antidepressive Agents / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000929:Antidepressive Agents, Tricyclic / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use; D003327:Coronary Disease / Q000523:psychology*; D003866:Depressive Disorder / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000523:psychology; D006801:Humans; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000523:psychology*; D010348:Patient Care Team; D011788:Quality of Life; D017367:Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D000928:Antidepressive Agents; D000929:Antidepressive Agents, Tricyclic; D017367:Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors