The health-related quality of life burden of co-morbid cardiovascular disease and major depressive disorder in Australia: Findings from a population-based, cross-sectional study (Australia)

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International

Health-related quality of life (HRQOL) can be significantly impaired by the presence of chronic conditions such as cardiovascular disease (CVD) and major depressive disorder (MDD). The aim of this Australian paper was to (1) identify differences in HRQOL between individuals with CVD, MDD, or both, compared to a healthy reference group, (2) establish whether the influence of co-morbid MDD and CVD on HRQOL is additive or synergistic and (3) determine the way in which depression severity interacts with CVD to influence overall HRQOL.

Results showed that individuals with co-morbid CVD and depression reported the greatest deficits in Assessment of Quality of Life (AQOL) utility scores after adjusting for covariates. Those with MDD only and CVD only also reported reduced AQOL utility scores. Second, the influence of MDD and CVD on HRQOL was shown to be additive, rather than synergistic. Third, a significant dose-response relationship was observed between depression severity and HRQOL. However, CVD and depression severity appeared to act independently of each other in impacting HRQOL.

O'Neil, A., et al. (2013). The health-related quality of life burden of co-morbid cardiovascular disease and major depressive disorder in Australia: Findings from a population-based, cross-sectional study. Quality of Life Research, 22(1), 37-44.

To read the full abstract, and for access to a free full text version of the article, go to: http://link.springer.com/article/10.1007%2Fs11136-012-0128-4