The prevalence of depressive symptoms among older patients with hypertension in rural China.
OBJECTIVE
The comorbidity of depression and hypertension (HTN) is common and complicates the management of both conditions. This study investigated the prevalence of depressive symptoms among older patients with HTN in rural China and explored the relationship between the two conditions.


METHODS
The baseline data of older patients diagnosed with HTN included in the depression/HTN in Chinese Older Adults-Collaborations for Health Study were used for the analysis. The Chinese Older Adults-Collaborations for Health Study was conducted in rural villages of Tonglu County, Zhejiang Province, China. In all, 10 389 older village residents had HTN (57.2% female, mean age 71.5 ± 8.1 years). Blood pressure was measured by using a calibrated manual sphygmomanometer and stethoscope. Depressive symptom was measured by using the Chinese version of the nine-item Patient Health Questionnaire.


RESULTS
Among 10 389 patients with HTN, 12.8% had significant depressive symptoms (nine-item Patient Health Questionnaire ≥ 10). Rates of significant depressive symptoms were 5.3% and 32.8% among patients with controlled and uncontrolled HTN (systolic blood pressure ≥ 140 and/or diastolic blood pressure ≥ 90), respectively (χ2  = 8.701, p < 0.001). Logistic regression analysis indicated that those in older age group (≥70 years) and with uncontrolled HTN have higher rates of significant depressive symptoms than those who are younger (age 60 to <70) and with controlled HTN.


CONCLUSION
Our findings show high rates of depressive symptoms among patients with HTN in rural China and higher rates of depressive symptoms among patients with uncontrolled HTN. These support the development and dissemination of integrative care approaches for older adults with HTN and depression in rural China. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
['Xue|Jiang|J|', 'Chen|Shulin|S|', 'Bogner|Hillary R|HR|', 'Tang|Wan|W|', 'Li|Lydia|L|', 'Conwell|Yeates|Y|']
D000368:Aged D000369:Aged, 80 and over D001794:Blood Pressure D002681:China D015897:Comorbidity D003866:Depressive Disorder D005260:Female D006801:Humans D006973:Hypertension D016015:Logistic Models D008297:Male D008875:Middle Aged D015995:Prevalence D012424:Rural Population
prevalence depressive symptoms hypertension rural China older adults