Gender-specific characteristics of individuals with depressive symptoms and coronary heart disease.
OBJECTIVE
In individuals with depressive symptoms and coronary heart disease (CHD), little is known about gender-specific characteristics that may inform treatments and outcomes. This study sought to identify characteristics that distinguish men from women with both conditions.


METHODS
By cross-sectional design, 1951 adults with CHD and elevated depressive symptoms completed questionnaires to measure anxiety, hostility, perceived control, and knowledge, attitudes, and beliefs about CHD. Gender differences were evaluated by multivariable logistic regression.


RESULTS
Women were more likely to be single (odds ratio [OR] 3.61, P < .001), to be unemployed (OR 2.52, P < .001), to be poorly educated (OR 2.52, P < .001), to be anxious (OR 1.14, P < .01), and to perceive lower control over health (OR 1.34, P < .01) than men.


CONCLUSIONS
Women with CHD and depressive symptoms have fewer resources, greater anxiety, and lower perceived control than men. In women, targeting modifiable factors, such as anxiety and perceived control, is warranted.
Doering
Lynn V
LV
School of Nursing, University of California, Los Angeles, 700 Tiverton Avenue, Box 956918, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA. ldoering@sonnet.ucla.edu
McKinley
Sharon
S
Riegel
Barbara
B
Moser
Debra K
DK
Meischke
Hendrika
H
Pelter
Michele M
MM
Dracup
Kathleen
K
D054058:Acute Coronary Syndrome / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000451:nursing* / Q000523:psychology / Q000534:rehabilitation; D000368:Aged; D001007:Anxiety / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000451:nursing / Q000523:psychology / Q000534:rehabilitation; D015897:Comorbidity; D003327:Coronary Disease / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000451:nursing* / Q000523:psychology / Q000534:rehabilitation; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D003863:Depression / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000451:nursing* / Q000523:psychology / Q000534:rehabilitation; D004632:Emergency Medical Services; D005081:Exercise Therapy / Q000451:nursing; D005260:Female; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006791:Hostility; D006801:Humans; D007389:Internal-External Control; D016015:Logistic Models; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D015999:Multivariate Analysis; D011379:Prognosis; D012737:Sex Factors; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D016896:Treatment Outcome