Are cyanosed adults with congenital cardiac malformations depressed?
OBJECTIVE
To assess the incidence of depression, and the ability to interact socially, in adult patients with chronic cyanosis and congenital cardiac malformations.


METHODS
Prospective study of consecutive patients.


METHODS
Single institution, tertiary referral centre.


METHODS
Between 1993 and 2000, we assessed 76 patients with congenital cardiac malformations and persistent cyanosis, having a median age of 36.5 years, with a range from 19 to 64 years, at the time of referral. Female patients accounted for just under half (48.6%) of the sample. Just under two-fifths of the cohort (39.5%) had functionally univentricular cardiac anatomy, while 14.8% had tetralogy of Fallot with pulmonary atresia and aorto-pulmonary collateral arteries, and 17% had the Eisenmenger syndrome. During the period of follow-up, 17 (22.4%) of the patients died.


RESULTS
We used clinical interviews and non-invasive assessment, employing Zung's questionnaire which provides a scale for the self-rating of depression. On this scale, a score above 50 points is indicative of depression.


RESULTS
Of the survivors, 32 (54%) completed the self-rating questionnaires. Of these, 20 responders (63%) considered that they lead full lives, including sexual activities, while 26 (81%) had never harboured suicidal thoughts. Depression was diagnosed in 11 responders (34%), with a mean score of 66.9, standard deviation of 8.7, and a range from 53 to 89. The remaining 21 patients (66%) were without signs of depression, scoring a mean of 41.5, with standard deviation of 5.5, and a range from 35 to 46. Depression was associated with older age (40.5 years versus 33.5 years, p = 0.01), worse functional state in the classification of the New York Heart Association (2.95 versus 2.48, p = 0.03), and unemployment (p < 0.0001), but independent from the severity of cyanosis, the level of the haematocrit, the saturation of oxygen, or previous surgical treatment.


CONCLUSIONS
To our knowledge, this is the first evidence suggesting a relatively high incidence of depression in adults with congenital cardiac malformations and persistent cyanosis. Larger, multi-centric studies will be needed to confirm or refute these findings.
Popelová
J
J
Department of Medicine, 2nd School of Medicine at Charles University, University Hospital Motol, Prague, Czech Republic. jana.popelova@lfmotol.cuni.cz
Slavík
Z
Z
Skovránek
J
J
D000328:Adult; D002908:Chronic Disease; D003490:Cyanosis / Q000150:complications* / Q000401:mortality / Q000523:psychology; D018153:Czech Republic / Q000453:epidemiology; D003863:Depression / Q000209:etiology*; D004522:Educational Status; D004651:Employment / Q000523:psychology; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006330:Heart Defects, Congenital / Q000150:complications* / Q000401:mortality / Q000523:psychology; D006333:Heart Failure / Q000209:etiology / Q000401:mortality; D006400:Hematocrit; D006454:Hemoglobins / Q000032:analysis; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010100:Oxygen / Q000097:blood; D011446:Prospective Studies; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D016019:Survival Analysis
D006454:Hemoglobins; D010100:Oxygen