Telephone-delivered collaborative care for treating post-CABG depression: a randomized controlled trial

Psychological interventions for depression and anxiety in patients with coronary heart disease, heart failure or atrial fibrillation

BACKGROUND

Depression and anxiety occur frequently (with reported prevalence rates of around 40%) in individuals with coronary heart disease (CHD), heart failure (HF) or atrial fibrillation (AF) and are associated with a poor prognosis, such as decreased health-related quality of life (HRQoL), and increased morbidity and mortality. Psychological interventions are developed and delivered by psychologists or specifically trained healthcare workers and commonly include cognitive behavioural therapies and mindfulness-based stress reduction. They have been shown to reduce depression and anxiety in the general population, though the exact mechanism of action is not well understood. Further, their effects on psychological and clinical outcomes in patients with CHD, HF or AF are unclear.

OBJECTIVES

To assess the effects of psychological interventions (alone, or with cardiac rehabilitation or pharmacotherapy, or both) in adults who have a diagnosis of CHD, HF or AF, compared to no psychological intervention, on psychological and clinical outcomes.

SEARCH METHODS

We searched the CENTRAL, MEDLINE, Embase, PsycINFO and CINAHL databases from 2009 to July 2022. We also searched three clinical trials registers in September 2020, and checked the reference lists of included studies. No language restrictions were applied.

SELECTION CRITERIA

We included randomised controlled trials (RCTs) comparing psychological interventions with no psychological intervention for a minimum of six months follow-up in adults aged over 18 years with a clinical diagnosis of CHD, HF or AF, with or without depression or anxiety. Studies had to report on either depression or anxiety or both.

DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS

We used standard Cochrane methods. Our primary outcomes were depression and anxiety, and our secondary outcomes of interest were HRQoL mental and physical components, all-cause mortality and major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE). We used GRADE to assess the certainty of evidence for each outcome.

MAIN RESULTS

Twenty-one studies (2591 participants) met our inclusion criteria. Sixteen studies included people with CHD, five with HF and none with AF. Study sample sizes ranged from 29 to 430. Twenty and 17 studies reported the primary outcomes of depression and anxiety, respectively. Despite the high heterogeneity and variation, we decided to pool the studies using a random-effects model, recognising that the model does not eliminate heterogeneity and findings should be interpreted cautiously. We found that psychological interventions probably have a moderate effect on reducing depression (standardised mean difference (SMD) -0.36, 95% confidence interval (CI) -0.65 to -0.06; 20 studies, 2531 participants; moderate-certainty evidence) and anxiety (SMD -0.57, 95% CI -0.96 to -0.18; 17 studies, 2235 participants; moderate-certainty evidence), compared to no psychological intervention. Psychological interventions may have little to no effect on HRQoL physical component summary scores (PCS) (SMD 0.48, 95% CI -0.02 to 0.98; 12 studies, 1454 participants; low-certainty evidence), but may have a moderate effect on improving HRQoL mental component summary scores (MCS) (SMD 0.63, 95% CI 0.01 to 1.26; 12 studies, 1454 participants; low-certainty evidence), compared to no psychological intervention. Psychological interventions probably have little to no effect on all-cause mortality (risk ratio (RR) 0.81, 95% CI 0.39 to 1.69; 3 studies, 615 participants; moderate-certainty evidence) and may have little to no effect on MACE (RR 1.22, 95% CI 0.77 to 1.92; 4 studies, 450 participants; low-certainty evidence), compared to no psychological intervention.

AUTHORS' CONCLUSIONS

Current evidence suggests that psychological interventions for depression and anxiety probably result in a moderate reduction in depression and anxiety and may result in a moderate improvement in HRQoL MCS, compared to no intervention. However, they may have little to no effect on HRQoL PCS and MACE, and probably do not reduce mortality (all-cause) in adults who have a diagnosis of CHD or HF, compared with no psychological intervention. There was moderate to substantial heterogeneity identified across studies. Thus, evidence of treatment effects on these outcomes warrants careful interpretation. As there were no studies of psychological interventions for patients with AF included in our review, this is a gap that needs to be addressed in future studies, particularly in view of the rapid growth of research on management of AF. Studies investigating cost-effectiveness, return to work and cardiovascular morbidity (revascularisation) are also needed to better understand the benefits of psychological interventions in populations with heart disease.

Effectiveness of Telecare Interventions on Depression Symptoms Among Older Adults: Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

BACKGROUND

Depression is the most common psychiatric disorder among older adults. Despite the effectiveness of pharmacological and psychological therapies, many patients with late-life depression (LLD) are unable to access timely treatment. Telecare has been shown to be effective in addressing patients' psychosocial issues, while its effectiveness in serving patients with LLD remains unclear.

OBJECTIVE

This study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of telecare in reducing depression and anxiety symptoms and improving quality of life (QoL) in patients with LLD.

METHODS

Databases including the Cochrane Library, Web of Science, PubMed, Embase, and EBSCO were searched for randomized controlled trials (RCTs) evaluating the effectiveness of telecare for LLD from database establishment to December 28, 2022.

RESULTS

A total of 12 RCTs involving 1663 participants were identified in this study. The meta-analysis showed that (1) telecare significantly reduced depressive symptoms in patients with LLD compared to those in usual care (UC; standardized mean difference [SMD]=-0.46, 95% CI -0.53 to -0.38; P<.001), with the best improvement observed within 3 months of intervention (SMD=-0.72, 95% CI -1.16 to -0.28; P<.001); (2) other scales appeared more effective than the Patient Health Questionnaire-9 for LLD in telecare interventions (SMD=-0.65, 95% CI -0.96 to -0.35; P<.001); (3) telecare was more effective than telephone-based interventions for remote monitoring of LLD (SMD=-1.13, 95% CI -1.51 to -0.76; P<.001); (4) the reduction of depressive symptoms was more pronounced in patients with LLD with chronic conditions (SMD=-0.67, 95% CI -0.89 to -0.44; P<.001); (5) telecare was more effective for LLD in Europe and the Americas than in other regions (SMD=-0.73, 95% CI -0.99 to -0.47; P<.001); (6) telecare significantly reduced anxiety symptoms in patients with LLD (SMD=-0.53, 95% CI -0.73 to -0.33; P=.02); and (7) there was no significant improvement in the psychological components of QoL in patients with LLD compared to those receiving UC (SMD=0.30, 95% CI 0.18-0.43; P=.80).

CONCLUSIONS

Telecare is a promising modality of care for treatment, which can alleviate depression and anxiety symptoms in patients with LLD. Continued in-depth research into the effectiveness of telecare in treating depression could better identify where older patients would benefit from this intervention.

Comparative Effectiveness of Psychotherapy vs Antidepressants for Depression in Heart Failure: A Randomized Clinical Trial

Importance

Heart failure (HF) affects more than 6 million adults in the US and more than 64 million adults worldwide, with 50% prevalence of depression. Patients and clinicians lack information on which interventions are more effective for depression in HF.

Objective

To compare the effectiveness of behavioral activation psychotherapy (BA) vs antidepressant medication management (MEDS) on patient-centered outcomes inpatients with HF and depression.

Design, Setting, and Participants

This pragmatic randomized comparative effectiveness trial was conducted from 2018 to 2022, including 1-year follow-up, at a not-for-profit academic health system serving more than 2 million people from diverse demographic, socioeconomic, cultural, and geographic backgrounds. Participant included inpatients and outpatients diagnosed with HF and depression, and data were analyzed as intention-to-treat. Data were analyzed from 2022 to 2023.

Interventions

BA is an evidence-based manualized treatment for depression, promoting engagement in personalized pleasurable activities selected by patients. MEDS involves the use of an evidence-based collaborative care model with care managers providing coordination with patients, psychiatrists, and primary care physicians to only administer medications.

Main Outcomes and Measures

The primary outcome was depressive symptom severity at 6 months, measured using the Patient Health Questionnaire 9-Item (PHQ-9). Secondary outcomes included physical and mental health-related quality of life (HRQOL), measured using the Short-Form 12-Item version 2 (SF-12); heart failure-specific HRQOL, measured using the Kansas City Cardiomyopathy Questionnaire; caregiver burden, measured with the Caregiver Burden Questionnaire for Heart Failure; emergency department visits; readmissions; days hospitalized; and mortality at 3, 6, and 12 months.

Results

A total of 416 patients (mean [SD] age, 60.71 [15.61] years; 243 [58.41%] male) were enrolled, with 208 patients randomized to BA and 208 patients randomized to MEDS. At baseline, mean (SD) PHQ-9 scores were 14.54 (3.45) in the BA group and 14.31 (3.60) in the MEDS group; both BA and MEDS recipients experienced nearly 50% reduction in depressive symptoms at 3, 6, and 12 months (eg, mean [SD] score at 12 months: BA, 7.62 (5.73); P < .001; MEDS, 7.98 (6.06); P < .001; between-group P = .55). There was no statistically significant difference between BA and MEDS in the primary outcome of PHQ-9 at 6 months (mean [SD] score, 7.53 [5.74] vs 8.09 [6.06]; P = .88). BA recipients, compared with MEDS recipients, experienced small improvement in physical HRQOL at 6 months (mean [SD] SF-12 physical score: 38.82 [11.09] vs 37.12 [10.99]; P = .04), had fewer ED visits (3 months: 38% [95% CI, 14%-55%] reduction; P = .005; 6 months: 30% [95% CI, 14%-40%] reduction; P = .008; 12 months: 27% [95% CI, 15%-38%] reduction; P = .001), and spent fewer days hospitalized (3 months: 17% [95% CI, 8%-25%] reduction; P = .002; 6 months: 19% [95% CI, 13%-25%] reduction; P = .005; 12 months: 36% [95% CI, 32%-40%] reduction; P = .001).

Conclusions and Relevance

In this comparative effectiveness trial of BA and MEDS in patients with HF experiencing depression, both treatments significantly reduced depressive symptoms by nearly 50% with no statistically significant differences between treatments. BA recipients experienced better physical HRQOL, fewer ED visits, and fewer days hospitalized. The study findings suggested that patients with HF could be given the choice between BA or MEDS to ameliorate depression.

Trial Registration

ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT03688100.

Needs of multimorbid heart failure patients and their carers: a qualitative interview study and the creation of personas as a basis for a blended collaborative care intervention

Introduction

Involving patients and carers in the development of blended collaborative care (BCC) interventions for multimorbid heart failure (HF) patients is recommended but rarely practised, and research on the patient perspective is scarce. The aim of this study is to investigate patients' and carers' care-related needs and preferences to better customize a novel international BCC intervention.

Methods

A qualitative study design using framework analysis was employed. The study was performed in accordance with the EQUATOR standards for reporting qualitative research (SRQR). Patients aged at least 65 years with HF and at least two other physical diseases as well as their carers completed semistructured interviews in Germany, Italy, and Denmark. Based on these interviews, personas (prototype profiles of patients and carers) were created.

Results

Data from interviews with 25 patients and 17 carers were analysed. Initially, seven country-specific personas were identified, which were iteratively narrowed down to a final set of 3 personas: (a) the one who needs and wants support, (b) the one who has accepted their situation with HF and reaches out when necessary, and (c) the one who feels neglected by the health care system. Carers identifying with the last persona showed high levels of psychological stress and a high need for support.

Discussion

This is the first international qualitative study on patients' and carers' needs regarding a BCC intervention using the creation of personas. Across three European countries, data from interviews were used to develop three contrasting personas. Instead of providing "one size fits all" interventions, the results indicate that BCC interventions should offer different approaches based on the needs of individual patients and carers. The personas will serve as a basis for the development of a novel BCC intervention as part of the EU project ESCAPE (Evaluation of a patient-centred biopSychosocial blended collaborative CAre Pathway for the treatment of multimorbid Elderly patients).

Association Between Mental Health Burden, Clinical Presentation, and Outcomes in Individuals With Symptomatic Peripheral Artery Disease: A Scientific Statement From the American Heart Association

Along with the rising burden of peripheral artery disease (PAD), mental health concerns are increasingly being recognized as a comorbidity to address in the chronic disease management of symptomatic PAD. Apart from a high prevalence of comorbid mental health conditions, the role of pain and changing health behaviors and the broader impacts of illness and adaptation to living with PAD require specialized behavioral health expertise. This scientific statement builds a case that this expertise should be integrated within the multidisciplinary PAD team. Furthermore, areas such as cognitive dysfunction and palliative care are highlighted as needing psychological interventions. Although much of the evidence of the efficacy of psychological and psychotropic interventions has been extrapolated from other cardiovascular populations, evidence for the role of psychological interventions for behavior change, for example, uptake of exercise regimens, is increasingly being accrued within PAD. Areas for behavioral health needs and interactions with PAD treatment are discussed, including the use of opioids, depression management, anxiety and stress reduction interventions, the use of benzodiazepines and antidepressants, smoking cessation, rehabilitation trajectories after amputation, and the role of cognitive decline for PAD treatment and outcomes. A case summary highlights the stigma around mental health and vascular disease and the fragmentation of care. This scientific statement provides remarks for building a road map for integrated behavioral PAD care and potential solutions to overcome these barriers. Instrumental to reaching these changes are interprofessional advocacy efforts and initiatives that help break down the stigma around mental health and promote evidence-based collaborative, nonhierarchical, and multidisciplinary PAD care.

Depression Subtypes in Systolic Heart Failure: A Secondary Analysis From a Randomized Controlled Trial

BACKGROUND

Heart failure (HF) is associated with an elevated risk of morbidity, mortality, hospitalization, and impaired quality of life. One potential contributor to these poor outcomes is depression. Yet the effectiveness of treatments for depression in patients with HF is mixed, perhaps due to the heterogeneity of depression.

METHODS

This secondary analysis applied latent class analysis (LCA) to data from a clinical trial to classify patients with systolic HF and comorbid depression into LCA subtypes based on depression symptom severity, and then examined whether these subtypes predicted treatment response and mental and physical health outcomes at 12 months follow-up.

RESULTS

In LCA of 629 participants (mean age 63.6 ± 12.9; 43% females), we identified 4 depression subtypes: mild (prevalence 53%), moderate (30%), moderately severe (12%), and severe (5%). The mild subtype was characterized primarily by somatic symptoms of depression (e.g., energy loss, sleep disturbance, poor appetite), while the remaining LCA subtypes additionally included nonsomatic symptoms of depression (e.g., depressed mood, anhedonia, worthlessness). At 12 months, LCA subtypes with more severe depressive symptoms reported significantly greater improvements in mental quality of life and depressive symptoms compared to the LCA mild subtype, but the incidence of cardiovascular- and noncardiovascular-related readmissions, and mortality was similar among all subtypes.

CONCLUSIONS

In patients with depression and systolic heart failure those with the LCA mild depression subtype may not meet full criteria for major depressive disorder, given the overlap between HF and somatic symptoms of depression. We recommend requiring depressed mood or anhedonia as a necessary symptom for major depressive disorder in patients with HF.

Financial incentives and case management to improve cardiac rehabilitation participation among patients with lower socio-economic status: Rationale and protocol for a randomized controlled trial

BACKGROUND

Participation in phase 2 cardiac rehabilitation (CR) is associated with significant decreases in morbidity and mortality. Unfortunately, attendance at CR is not optimal and certain populations, such as those with lower-socioeconomic status (SES), are less likely to participate. In order to remedy this disparity we have designed a trial to examine the efficacy of early case management and/or financial incentives for increasing CR participation among lower-SES patients.

METHODS

We will employ a randomized controlled trial with a sample goal of 209 patients who will be randomized 2:3:3:3 to either a usual care control, to receive a case manager starting in-hospital, to receive financial incentives for completing CR sessions, or to receive both interventions.

RESULTS

Treatment conditions will be compared on attendance at CR and end-of-intervention (four months) improvements in cardiorespiratory fitness, executive function, and health-related quality of life. The primary outcome measures for this project will be number of CR sessions completed and the percentage who complete ≥30 sessions. Secondary outcomes will include improvements in health outcomes by condition, as well as the cost-effectiveness of the intervention with a focus on potential reductions in emergency department visits and hospitalizations. We hypothesize that either intervention will perform better than the control and that the combination of interventions will perform better than either alone.

CONCLUSIONS

This systematic examination of interventions will allow us to test the efficacy and cost-effectiveness of approaches that have the potential to increase CR participation substantially and significantly improve health outcomes among patients with lower-SES.

Integrated care for older multimorbid heart failure patients: protocol for the ESCAPE randomized trial and cohort study

ESCAPE

Evaluation of a patient-centred biopsychosocial blended collaborative care pathway for the treatment of multimorbid elderly patients.

THERAPEUTIC AREA

Healthcare interventions for the management of older patients with multiple morbidities.

AIMS

Multi-morbidity treatment is an increasing challenge for healthcare systems in ageing societies. This comprehensive cohort study with embedded randomized controlled trial tests an integrated biopsychosocial care model for multimorbid elderly patients.

HYPOTHESIS

A holistic, patient-centred pro-active 9-month intervention based on the blended collaborative care (BCC) approach and enhanced by information and communication technologies can improve health-related quality of life (HRQoL) and disease outcomes as compared with usual care at 9 months.

METHODS

Across six European countries, ESCAPE is recruiting patients with heart failure, mental distress/disorder plus ≥2 medical co-morbidities into an observational cohort study. Within the cohort study, 300 patients will be included in a randomized controlled assessor-blinded two-arm parallel group interventional clinical trial (RCT). In the intervention, trained care managers (CMs) regularly support patients and informal carers in managing their multiple health problems. Supervised by a clinical specialist team, CMs remotely support patients in implementing the treatment plan-customized to the patients' individual needs and preferences-into their daily lives and liaise with patients' healthcare providers. An eHealth platform with an integrated patient registry guides the intervention and helps to empower patients and informal carers. HRQoL measured with the EQ-5D-5L as primary endpoint, and secondary outcomes, that is, medical and patient-reported outcomes, healthcare costs, cost-effectiveness, and informal carer burden, will be assessed at 9 and ≥18 months.

CONCLUSIONS

If proven effective, the ESCAPE BCC intervention can be implemented in routine care for older patients with multiple morbidities across the participating countries and beyond.

Current concepts in coronary artery revascularisation

Coronary artery revascularisation can be performed surgically or percutaneously. Surgery is associated with higher procedural risk and longer recovery than percutaneous interventions, but with long-term reduction of recurrent cardiac events. For many patients with obstructive coronary artery disease in need of revascularisation, surgical or percutaneous intervention is indicated on the basis of clinical and anatomical reasons or personal preferences. Medical therapy is a crucial accompaniment to coronary revascularisation, and data suggest that, in some subsets of patients, medical therapy alone might achieve similar results to coronary revascularisation. Most revascularisation data are based on prevalently White, non-elderly, male populations in high-income countries; robust data in women, older adults, and racial and other minorities, and from low-income and middle-income countries, are urgently needed.

Intervention de type gestion de situation complexe sur l’adhésion médicamenteuse des patients coronariens dépressifs

Coronary artery disease is a chronic condition where medication adherence issues have consequences in terms of morbidity and mortality. Depression, which is one of the factors of non-adherence to treatment, is also a frequent comorbidity. A research protocol has been set on this subject. Its main objective is to compare the medication adherence of a group of coronary patients with depressive disorders and difficulties in following their doctor's prescription, who have benefited from a complex situation management type intervention, with that of a control group followed in routine practice.

Management of depression in patients with coronary artery disease: A systematic review

Depression is an independent risk factor for coronary artery disease (CAD). Both illnesses contribute significantly to the global burden of disease. This systematic literature review examines treatment interventions for CAD patients with comorbid depression. We systematically reviewed The Cochrane Library, MEDLINE, EMBASE, PsycINFO, PUBMED, CINAHL and the ISRCTN Registry for English language randomised control trials investigating treatment interventions for depression in adults with CAD and comorbid depression. Data extracted included author name(s), year published, number of participants, enrolment criteria, depression definition/measures (standardised interviews, rating scales), description of control arms and interventions (psychotherapy and/or medications), randomisation, blinding, follow-up duration, follow-up loss, depression scores and medical outcome. The database search revealed 4464 articles. The review yielded 19 trials. Antidepressant and/or psychotherapy did not significantly influence CAD outcomes in the overall population. There was no difference between antidepressant use and aerobic exercises. Psychological interventions and pharmacological interventions provide small effect on depression outcomes in CAD patients. Patient autonomy in choice of treatment is associated with greater depression treatment satisfaction, but the majority of studies are underpowered. More research is required to explore the role of neurostimulation treatment, complementary and alternative treatments.

The impact of socio-demographic factors on health-related quality of life after coronary artery bypass surgery

OBJECTIVES

To achieve a beneficial impact on long-term outcome after coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG), the goal of the present study was the early identification of patients at risk of impaired postoperative health-related quality of life (HRQoL), particularly evaluating the significance of socio-demographic variables.

METHODS

In this prospective, single-centre cohort study of patients having an isolated CABG (January 2004-December 2014), preoperative socio-demographic (preSOC) and preoperative medical variables as well as 6-month follow-up data including the Nottingham Health Profile were analysed in 3,237 patients.

RESULTS

All preSOC (gender, age, marriage and employment) and follow-up (chest pain, dyspnoea) variables proved to have significant influence on HRQoL (P < 0.001), male patients below 60 years being particularly impaired. The effects of marriage and employment on HRQoL are modulated by age and gender. The significance of the predictors of reduced HRQoL differs between the 6 Nottingham Health Profile domains. Multivariable regression analyses revealed explained proportions of variance amounting to 7% for preSOC and 4% for preoperative medical variables.

CONCLUSIONS

The identification of patients at risk of impaired postoperative HRQoL is decisive for providing additional support. This study reveals that the assessment of 4 preoperative socio-demographic characteristics (age, gender, marriage, employment) is more predictive of HRQoL after CABG than are multiple medical variables.

The association of depression with mortality and major adverse limb event outcomes in patients with peripheral artery disease: A systematic review and meta-analysis

BACKGROUND

Peripheral artery disease (PAD) is highly prevalent and associated with poor outcomes. Depression is a risk factor for adverse outcomes in patients with coronary artery disease. Despite evidence showing that depression is common in patients with PAD, less is known about its association with adverse prognostic outcomes. To address this, we conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis to summarize the association between depression and outcomes in patients with PAD.

METHODS

We performed a systematic search of eight databases to January 2022 including studies that reported a risk estimate for the association of depression or depressive symptoms with all-cause mortality or major adverse limb events (MALE) in patients with PAD and pooled results in a meta-analysis. Risk of bias was assessed using ROBINS-I.

RESULTS

Of the 7048 articles screened, 5 observational studies with 119,123 patients were included. A total of 16.2 % had depression or depressive symptoms. Depression was associated with a statistically significant increased risk of all-cause mortality (HR 1.24, confidence interval 1.07-1.25, p = .005). The association between depression and MALE was not significant but trended toward a positive association.

LIMITATIONS

Due to lack of data, results were limited by a single study with a large sample size, overrepresentation of men, and lack of information of depression severity or treatment status.

CONCLUSION

Depression or depressive symptoms are associated with a 24 % increased risk of all-cause mortality in patients with PAD. Future work should explore the mechanisms and directionality of this association and identify depression as an important comorbidity to address for patients with PAD.

REGISTRATION

PROSPERO CRD 42021223694.

Study protocol for a randomized trial of bridge: Person-centered collaborative care for serious mental illness and cancer

BACKGROUND

Individuals with serious mental illness (SMI) experience inequities in cancer care that contribute to increased cancer mortality. Involving mental health at the time of cancer diagnosis may improve cancer care delivery for patients with SMI yet access to care remains challenging. Collaborative care is a promising approach to integrate mental health and cancer care that has not yet been studied in this marginalized population.

METHODS/DESIGN

We describe a 24-week, two-arm, single-site randomized trial of person-centered collaborative care (Bridge) for patients with SMI (schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, or major depression with psychiatric hospitalization) and their caregivers. 120 patients are randomized 1:1 to Bridge or Enhanced Usual Care (EUC) along with their caregivers. Researchers proactively identify individuals with SMI and a new breast, lung, gastrointestinal, or head and neck cancer that can be treated with curative intent. EUC includes informing oncologists about the patient's psychiatric diagnosis, notifying patients about available psychosocial services, and tracking patient and caregiver outcomes. Bridge includes a proactive assessment by psychiatry and social work, a person-centered, team approach including collaboration between mental health and oncology, and increased access to evidence-based psycho-oncology care. The primary outcome is cancer care disruptions evaluated by a blinded panel of oncologists. Secondary outcomes include patient and caregiver-reported outcomes and healthcare utilization. Barriers to Bridge implementation and dissemination are assessed using mixed methods.

DISCUSSION

This trial will inform efforts to systematically identify individuals with SMI and cancer and generate the first experimental evidence for the impact of person-centered collaborative care on cancer care for this underserved population.

Increasing Uptake of Depression Screening and Treatment Guidelines in Cardiac Patients: A Behavioral and Implementation Science Approach to Developing a Theory-Informed, Multilevel Implementation Strategy

BACKGROUND

Depression leads to poor health outcomes in patients with coronary heart disease (CHD). Despite guidelines recommending screening and treatment of depressed patients with CHD, few patients receive optimal care. We applied behavioral and implementation science methods to (1) identify generalizable, multilevel barriers to depression screening and treatment in patients with CHD and (2) develop a theory-informed, multilevel implementation strategy for promoting guideline adoption.

METHODS

We conducted a narrative review of barriers to depression screening and treatment in patients with CHD (ie, medications, exercise, cardiac rehabilitation, or therapy) comprising data from 748 study participants. Informed by the behavior change wheel framework and Expert Recommendations for Implementing Change, we defined multilevel target behaviors, characterized determinants (capability, opportunity, motivation), and mapped barriers to feasible, acceptable, and equitable intervention functions and behavior change techniques to develop a multilevel implementation strategy, targeting health care systems/providers and patients.

RESULTS

We identified implementation barriers at the system/provider level (eg, Capability: knowledge; Opportunity: workflow integration; Motivation: ownership) and patient level (eg, Capability: knowledge; Opportunity: mobility; Motivation: symptom denial). Acceptable, feasible, and equitable intervention functions included education, persuasion, environmental restructuring, and enablement. Expert Recommendations for Implementing Change strategies included learning collaborative, audit, feedback, and educational materials. The final multicomponent strategy (iHeart DepCare) for promoting depression screening/treatment included problem-solving meetings with clinic staff (system); educational/motivational videos, electronic health record reminders/decisional support (provider); and a shared decision-making (electronic shared decision-making) tool with several functions for patients, for example, patient activation, patient treatment selection support.

CONCLUSIONS

We applied implementation and behavioral science methods to identify implementation barriers and to develop a multilevel implementation strategy for increasing uptake of depression screening and treatment in patients with CHD as a use case. The multilevel implementation strategy will be evaluated in a future hybrid II effectiveness-implementation trial.

Effects of eHealth Interventions on Quality of Life and Psychological Outcomes in Cardiac Surgery Patients: Systematic Review and Meta-analysis

BACKGROUND

Patients undergoing heart surgery may experience a range of physiological changes, and the postoperative recovery time is long. Patients and their families often have concerns about quality of life (QoL) after discharge. eHealth interventions may improve patient participation, ensure positive and effective health management, improve the quality of at-home care and the patient's quality of life, and reduce rates of depression.

OBJECTIVE

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effects of eHealth interventions on the physiology, psychology, and compliance of adult patients after cardiac surgery to provide a theoretical basis for clinical practice.

METHODS

We conducted systematic searches of the following 4 electronic databases: PubMed, Embase, CINAHL, and the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials. Mean (SD) values were used to calculate the pooled effect sizes for all consecutive data, including QoL, anxiety, and depression. Where the same results were obtained using different instruments, we chose the standardized mean difference with a 95% CI to represent the combined effect size; otherwise, the mean difference (MD) with a 95% CI was used. Odds ratios were used to calculate the combined effect size for all dichotomous data. The Cohen Q test for chi-square distribution and an inconsistency index (I²) were used to test for heterogeneity among the studies. We chose a fixed-effects model to estimate the effect size if there was no significant heterogeneity in the data (I²≤50%); otherwise, a random-effects model was used. The quality of the included studies was assessed using the Cochrane risk-of-bias tool for randomized trials (RoB 2).

RESULTS

The search identified 3632 papers, of which 19 met the inclusion criteria. In terms of physical outcomes, the score of the control group was lower than that of the intervention group (MD 0.15, 95% CI 0.03-0.27, I²=0%, P=.02). There was no significant difference in the mental outcomes between the intervention and control groups (MD 0.10, 95% CI -0.03 to 0.24, I²=46.4%, P=.14). The control group's score was lower than that of the intervention group for the depression outcomes (MD -0.53, 95% CI -0.89 to -0.17, I²=57.1%, P=.004). Compliance outcomes improved in most intervention groups. The results of the sensitivity analysis were robust. Nearly half of the included studies (9/19, 47%) had a moderate to high risk of bias. The quality of the evidence was medium to low.

CONCLUSIONS

eHealth improved the physical component of quality of life and depression after cardiac surgery; however, there was no statistical difference in the mental component of quality of life. The effectiveness of eHealth on patient compliance has been debated. Further high-quality studies on digital health are required.

TRIAL REGISTRATION

PROSPERO CRD42022327305; https://www.crd.york.ac.uk/prospero/display_record.php?RecordID=327305.

Equitability of Depression Screening After Implementation of General Adult Screening in Primary Care

IMPORTANCE

Depression is a debilitating and costly medical condition that is often undertreated. Men, racial and ethnic minority individuals, older adults, and those with language barriers are at increased risk for undertreatment of depression. Disparities in screening may contribute to undertreatment.

OBJECTIVE

To examine depression screening rates among populations at risk for undertreatment of depression during and after rollout of general screening.

DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS

This cohort study from September 1, 2017, to December 31, 2019, of electronic health record data from 52 944 adult patients at 6 University of California, San Francisco, primary care facilities assessed depression screening rates after implementation of a general screening policy. Patients were excluded if they had a baseline diagnosis of depression, bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, schizoaffective disorder, or dementia.

EXPOSURES

Screening year, including rollout (September 1, 2017, to December 31, 2017) and each subsequent calendar year (January 1 to December 31, 2018, and January 1 to December 31, 2019).

MAIN OUTCOMES AND MEASURES

Rates of depression screening performed by medical assistants using the Patient Health Questionnaire-2. Data collected included age, sex, race and ethnicity, and language preference (English vs non-English); to compare English and non-English language preference groups and also assess depression screening by race and ethnicity within the English-speaking group, a single language-race-ethnicity variable with non-English language preference and English language preference categories was created. In multivariable analyses, the likelihood of being screened was evaluated using annual logistic regression models for 2018 and 2019, examining sex, age, language-race-ethnicity, and comorbidities, with adjustment for primary care site.

RESULTS

There were 52 944 unique, eligible patients with 1 or more visits in one of the 6 primary care practices during the entire study period (59% female; mean [SD] age, 48.9 [17.6] years; 178 [0.3%] American Indian/Alaska Native, 13 241 [25.0%] English-speaking Asian, 3588 [6.8%] English-speaking Black/African American, 4744 [9.0%] English-speaking Latino/Latina/Latinx, 760 [1.4%] Pacific Islander, 22 689 [42.9%] English-speaking White, 4857 [9.0%] English-speaking other [including individuals who indicated race and ethnicity as other and individuals for whom race and ethnicity data were missing or unknown], and 2887 [5.5%] with language barriers [non-English language preference]). Depression screening increased from 40.5% at rollout (2017) to 88.8% (2019). In 2018, the likelihood of being screened decreased with increasing age (adusted odds ratio [aOR], 0.89 [95% CI, 0.82-0.98] for ages 45-54 and aOR, 0.75 [95% CI, 0.65-0.85] for ages 75 and older compared with ages 18-30); and, except for Spanish-speaking patients, patients with limited English proficiency were less likely to be screened for depression than English-speaking White patients (Chinese language preference: aOR, 0.59 [95% CI, 0.51-0.67]; other non-English language preference: aOR, 0.55 [95% CI, 0.47-0.64]). By 2019, depression screening had increased dramatically for all at-risk groups, and for most, disparities had disappeared; the odds of screening were only still significantly lower for men compared with women (aOR, 0.87 [95% CI, 0.81 to 0.93]).

CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE

In this cohort study in a large academic health system, full implementation of depression screening was associated with a substantial increase in screening rates among groups at risk for undertreatment of depression. In addition, depression screening disparities narrowed over time for most groups, suggesting that routine depression screening in primary care may reduce screening disparities and improve recognition and appropriate treatment of depression for all patients.

Personalized care planning and shared decision making in collaborative care programs for depression and anxiety disorders: A systematic review

BACKGROUND

Collaborative care is an evidence-based approach to improving outcomes for common mental disorders in primary care. Efforts are underway to broadly implement the collaborative care model, yet the extent to which this model promotes person-centered mental health care has been little studied. The aim of this study was to describe practices related to two patient and family engagement strategies-personalized care planning and shared decision making-within collaborative care programs for depression and anxiety disorders in primary care.

METHODS

We conducted an update of a 2012 Cochrane review, which involved searches in Cochrane CCDAN and CINAHL databases, complemented by additional database, trial registry, and cluster searches. We included programs evaluated in a clinical trials targeting adults or youth diagnosed with depressive or anxiety disorders, as well as sibling reports related to these trials. Pairs of reviewers working independently selected the studies and data extraction for engagement strategies was guided by a codebook. We used narrative synthesis to report on findings.

RESULTS

In total, 150 collaborative care programs were analyzed. The synthesis showed that personalized care planning or shared decision making were practiced in fewer than half of programs. Practices related to personalized care planning, and to a lesser extent shared decision making, involved multiple members of the collaborative care team, with care managers playing a pivotal role in supporting patient and family engagement. Opportunities for quality improvement were identified, including fostering greater patient involvement in collaborative goal setting and integrating training and decision aids to promote shared decision making.

CONCLUSION

This review suggests that personalized care planning and shared decision making could be more fully integrated within collaborative care programs for depression and anxiety disorders. Their absence in some programs is a missed opportunity to spread person-centered mental health practices in primary care.

Postoperative but not preoperative depression is associated with cognitive impairment after cardiac surgery: exploratory analysis of data from a randomized trial

BACKGROUND

In this study we hypothesize that depression is associated with perioperative neurocognitive dysfunction and altered quality of life one month after surgery.

METHODS

Data were obtained as part of a study evaluating cerebral autoregulation monitoring for targeting arterial pressure during cardiopulmonary bypass. Neuropsychological testing was performed before surgery and one month postoperatively. Testing included the Beck Depression Inventory, a depression symptoms questionnaire (0-63 scale), as well as anxiety and quality of life assessments. Depression was defined as a Beck Depression Inventory score > 13.

RESULTS

Beck Depression data were available from 320 patients of whom cognitive domain endpoints were available from 88-98% at baseline and 69-79% after surgery. This range in end-points data was due to variability in the availability of each neuropsychological test results between patients. Depression was present in 50 (15.6%) patients before surgery and in 43 (13.4%) after surgery. Baseline depression was not associated with postoperative domain-specific neurocognitive function compared with non-depressed patients. Those with depression one month after surgery, though, had poorer performance on tests of attention (p = 0.017), memory (p = 0.049), verbal fluency (p = 0.010), processing speed (p = 0.017), and fine motor speed (p = 0.014). Postoperative neurocognitive dysfunction as a composite outcome occurred in 33.3% versus 14.5% of patients with and without postoperative depression (p = 0.040). Baseline depression was associated with higher anxiety and lower self-ratings on several quality of life domains, these measures were generally more adversely affected by depression one month after surgery.

CONCLUSIONS

The results of this exploratory analysis suggests that preoperative depression is not associated with perioperative neurocognitive dysfunction, but depression after cardiac surgery may be associated with impairment in in several cognitive domains, a higher frequency of the composite neurocognitive outcome, and altered quality of life.

TRIAL REGISTRATION

www.

CLINICALTRIALS

gov, NCT00981474 (parent study).

Digital and Mobile Health Technology in Collaborative Behavioral Health Care: Scoping Review

BACKGROUND

The collaborative care model (CoCM) is a well-established system of behavioral health care in primary care settings. There is potential for digital and mobile technology to augment the CoCM to improve access, scalability, efficiency, and clinical outcomes.

OBJECTIVE

This study aims to conduct a scoping review to synthesize the evidence available on digital and mobile health technology in collaborative care settings.

METHODS

This review included cohort and experimental studies of digital and mobile technologies used to augment the CoCM. Studies examining primary care without collaborative care were excluded. A literature search was conducted using 4 electronic databases (MEDLINE, Embase, Web of Science, and Google Scholar). The search results were screened in 2 stages (title and abstract screening, followed by full-text review) by 2 reviewers.

RESULTS

A total of 3982 nonduplicate reports were identified, of which 20 (0.5%) were included in the analysis. Most studies used a combination of novel technologies. The range of digital and mobile health technologies used included mobile apps, websites, web-based platforms, telephone-based interactive voice recordings, and mobile sensor data. None of the identified studies used social media or wearable devices. Studies that measured patient and provider satisfaction reported positive results, although some types of interventions increased provider workload, and engagement was variable. In studies where clinical outcomes were measured (7/20, 35%), there were no differences between groups, or the differences were modest.

CONCLUSIONS

The use of digital and mobile health technologies in CoCM is still limited. This study found that technology was most successful when it was integrated into the existing workflow without relying on patient or provider initiative. However, the effect of digital and mobile health on clinical outcomes in CoCM remains unclear and requires additional clinical trials.

Psychological and pharmacological interventions for depression in patients with coronary artery disease

BACKGROUND

Depression occurs frequently in individuals with coronary artery disease (CAD) and is associated with a poor prognosis.

OBJECTIVES

To determine the effects of psychological and pharmacological interventions for depression in CAD patients with comorbid depression.

SEARCH METHODS

We searched the CENTRAL, MEDLINE, Embase, PsycINFO, and CINAHL databases up to August 2020. We also searched three clinical trials registers in September 2021. We examined reference lists of included randomised controlled trials (RCTs) and contacted primary authors. We applied no language restrictions.

SELECTION CRITERIA

We included RCTs investigating psychological and pharmacological interventions for depression in adults with CAD and comorbid depression. Our primary outcomes included depression, mortality, and cardiac events. Secondary outcomes were healthcare costs and utilisation, health-related quality of life, cardiovascular vital signs, biomarkers of platelet activation, electrocardiogram wave parameters, non-cardiac adverse events, and pharmacological side effects.

DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS

Two review authors independently examined the identified papers for inclusion and extracted data from the included studies. We performed random-effects model meta-analyses to compute overall estimates of treatment outcomes.

MAIN RESULTS

Thirty-seven trials fulfilled our inclusion criteria. Psychological interventions may result in a reduction in end-of-treatment depression symptoms compared to controls (standardised mean difference (SMD) -0.55, 95% confidence interval (CI) -0.92 to -0.19, I² = 88%; low certainty evidence; 10 trials; n = 1226). No effect was evident on medium-term depression symptoms one to six months after the end of treatment (SMD -0.20, 95% CI -0.42 to 0.01, I² = 69%; 7 trials; n = 2654). The evidence for long-term depression symptoms and depression response was sparse for this comparison. There is low certainty evidence that psychological interventions may result in little to no difference in end-of-treatment depression remission (odds ratio (OR) 2.02, 95% CI 0.78 to 5.19, I² = 87%; low certainty evidence; 3 trials; n = 862). Based on one to two trials per outcome, no beneficial effects on mortality and cardiac events of psychological interventions versus control were consistently found. The evidence was very uncertain for end-of-treatment effects on all-cause mortality, and data were not reported for end-of-treatment cardiovascular mortality and occurrence of myocardial infarction for this comparison. In the trials examining a head-to-head comparison of varying psychological interventions or clinical management, the evidence regarding the effect on end-of-treatment depression symptoms is very uncertain for: cognitive behavioural therapy compared to supportive stress management; behaviour therapy compared to person-centred therapy; cognitive behavioural therapy and well-being therapy compared to clinical management. There is low certainty evidence from one trial that cognitive behavioural therapy may result in little to no difference in end-of-treatment depression remission compared to supportive stress management (OR 1.81, 95% CI 0.73 to 4.50; low certainty evidence; n = 83). Based on one to two trials per outcome, no beneficial effects on depression remission, depression response, mortality rates, and cardiac events were consistently found in head-to-head comparisons between psychological interventions or clinical management. The review suggests that pharmacological intervention may have a large effect on end-of-treatment depression symptoms (SMD -0.83, 95% CI -1.33 to -0.32, I² = 90%; low certainty evidence; 8 trials; n = 750). Pharmacological interventions probably result in a moderate to large increase in depression remission (OR 2.06, 95% CI 1.47 to 2.89, I² = 0%; moderate certainty evidence; 4 trials; n = 646). We found an effect favouring pharmacological intervention versus placebo on depression response at the end of treatment, though strength of evidence was not rated (OR 2.73, 95% CI 1.65 to 4.54, I² = 62%; 5 trials; n = 891). Based on one to four trials per outcome, no beneficial effects regarding mortality and cardiac events were consistently found for pharmacological versus placebo trials, and the evidence was very uncertain for end-of-treatment effects on all-cause mortality and myocardial infarction. In the trials examining a head-to-head comparison of varying pharmacological agents, the evidence was very uncertain for end-of-treatment effects on depression symptoms. The evidence regarding the effects of different pharmacological agents on depression symptoms at end of treatment is very uncertain for: simvastatin versus atorvastatin; paroxetine versus fluoxetine; and escitalopram versus Bu Xin Qi. No trials were eligible for the comparison of a psychological intervention with a pharmacological intervention.

AUTHORS' CONCLUSIONS

In individuals with CAD and depression, there is low certainty evidence that psychological intervention may result in a reduction in depression symptoms at the end of treatment. There was also low certainty evidence that pharmacological interventions may result in a large reduction of depression symptoms at the end of treatment. Moderate certainty evidence suggests that pharmacological intervention probably results in a moderate to large increase in depression remission at the end of treatment. Evidence on maintenance effects and the durability of these short-term findings is still missing. The evidence for our primary and secondary outcomes, apart from depression symptoms at end of treatment, is still sparse due to the low number of trials per outcome and the heterogeneity of examined populations and interventions. As psychological and pharmacological interventions can seemingly have a large to only a small or no effect on depression, there is a need for research focusing on extracting those approaches able to substantially improve depression in individuals with CAD and depression.

2021 ACC/AHA/SCAI Guideline for Coronary Artery Revascularization: A Report of the American College of Cardiology/American Heart Association Joint Committee on Clinical Practice Guidelines

AIM

The guideline for coronary artery revascularization replaces the 2011 coronary artery bypass graft surgery and the 2011 and 2015 percutaneous coronary intervention guidelines, providing a patient-centric approach to guide clinicians in the treatment of patients with significant coronary artery disease undergoing coronary revascularization as well as the supporting documentation to encourage their use.

METHODS

A comprehensive literature search was conducted from May 2019 to September 2019, encompassing studies, reviews, and other evidence conducted on human subjects that were published in English from PubMed, EMBASE, the Cochrane Collaboration, CINHL Complete, and other relevant databases. Additional relevant studies, published through May 2021, were also considered. Structure: Coronary artery disease remains a leading cause of morbidity and mortality globally. Coronary revascularization is an important therapeutic option when managing patients with coronary artery disease. The 2021 coronary artery revascularization guideline provides recommendations based on contemporary evidence for the treatment of these patients. The recommendations present an evidence-based approach to managing patients with coronary artery disease who are being considered for coronary revascularization, with the intent to improve quality of care and align with patients' interests.

2021 ACC/AHA/SCAI Guideline for Coronary Artery Revascularization: A Report of the American College of Cardiology/American Heart Association Joint Committee on Clinical Practice Guidelines

AIM

The guideline for coronary artery revascularization replaces the 2011 coronary artery bypass graft surgery and the 2011 and 2015 percutaneous coronary intervention guidelines, providing a patient-centric approach to guide clinicians in the treatment of patients with significant coronary artery disease undergoing coronary revascularization as well as the supporting documentation to encourage their use.

METHODS

A comprehensive literature search was conducted from May 2019 to September 2019, encompassing studies, reviews, and other evidence conducted on human subjects that were published in English from PubMed, EMBASE, the Cochrane Collaboration, CINHL Complete, and other relevant databases. Additional relevant studies, published through May 2021, were also considered.

STRUCTURE

Coronary artery disease remains a leading cause of morbidity and mortality globally. Coronary revascularization is an important therapeutic option when managing patients with coronary artery disease. The 2021 coronary artery revascularization guideline provides recommendations based on contemporary evidence for the treatment of these patients. The recommendations present an evidence-based approach to managing patients with coronary artery disease who are being considered for coronary revascularization, with the intent to improve quality of care and align with patients' interests.

Efficacy of Blended Collaborative Care for Patients With Heart Failure and Comorbid Depression: A Randomized Clinical Trial

IMPORTANCE

Depression is often comorbid in patients with heart failure (HF) and is associated with worse clinical outcomes. However, depression generally goes unrecognized and untreated in this population.

OBJECTIVE

To determine whether a blended collaborative care program for treating both HF and depression can improve clinical outcomes more than collaborative care for HF only and physicians' usual care (UC).

DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS

This 3-arm, single-blind, randomized effectiveness trial recruited 756 participants with HF with reduced left ventricular ejection fraction (<45%) from 8 university-based and community hospitals in southwestern Pennsylvania between March 2014 and October 2017 and observed them until November 2018. Participants included 629 who screened positive for depression during hospitalization and 2 weeks postdischarge and 127 randomly sampled participants without depression to facilitate further comparisons. Key analyses were performed November 2018 to March 2019.

INTERVENTIONS

Separate physician-supervised nurse teams provided either 12 months of collaborative care for HF and depression ("blended" care) or collaborative care for HF only (enhanced UC [eUC]).

MAIN OUTCOMES AND MEASURES

The primary outcome was mental health-related quality of life (mHRQOL) as measured by the Mental Component Summary of the 12-item Short Form Health Survey (MCS-12). Secondary outcomes included mood, physical function, HF pharmacotherapy use, rehospitalizations, and mortality.

RESULTS

Of the 756 participants (mean [SD] age, 64.0 [13.0] years; 425 [56%] male), those with depression reported worse mHRQOL, mood, and physical function but were otherwise similar to those without depression (eg, mean left ventricular ejection fraction, 28%). At 12 months, blended care participants reported a 4.47-point improvement on the MCS-12 vs UC (95% CI, 1.65 to 7.28; P = .002), but similar scores as the eUC arm (1.12; 95% CI, -1.15 to 3.40; P = .33). Blended care participants also reported better mood than UC participants (Patient-Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System-Depression effect size, 0.47; 95% CI, 0.28 to 0.67) and eUC participants (0.24; 95% CI, 0.07 to 0.41), but physical function, HF pharmacotherapy use, rehospitalizations, and mortality were similar by both baseline depression and randomization status.

CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE

In this randomized clinical trial of patients with HF and depression, telephone-delivered blended collaborative care produced modest improvements in mHRQOL, the primary outcome, on the MCS-12 vs UC but not eUC. Although blended care did not differentially affect rehospitalization and mortality, it improved mood better than eUC and UC and thus may enable organized health care systems to provide effective first-line depression care to medically complex patients.

TRIAL REGISTRATION

ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT02044211.

Association of Syndemic Unhealthy Alcohol Use, Smoking, and Depressive Symptoms on Incident Cardiovascular Disease among Veterans With and Without HIV-Infection

Unhealthy alcohol use, smoking, and depressive symptoms are risk factors for cardiovascular disease (CVD). Little is known about their co-occurrence - termed a syndemic, defined as the synergistic effect of two or more conditions-on CVD risk in people with HIV (PWH). We used data from 5621 CVD-free participants (51% PWH) in the Veteran's Aging Cohort Study-8, a prospective, observational study of veterans followed from 2002 to 2014 to assess the association between this syndemic and incident CVD by HIV status. Diagnostic codes identified cases of CVD (acute myocardial infarction, stroke, heart failure, peripheral artery disease, and coronary revascularization). Validated measures of alcohol use, smoking, and depressive symptoms were used. Baseline number of syndemic conditions was categorized (0, 1, ≥ 2 conditions). Multivariable Cox Proportional Hazards regressions estimated risk of the syndemic (≥ 2 conditions) on incident CVD by HIV-status. There were 1149 cases of incident CVD (52% PWH) during the follow-up (median 10.1 years). Of the total sample, 64% met our syndemic definition. The syndemic was associated with greater risk for incident CVD among PWH (Hazard Ratio [HR] 1.87 [1.47-2.38], p < 0.001) and HIV-negative veterans (HR 1.70 [1.35-2.13], p < 0.001), compared to HIV-negative with zero conditions. Among those with the syndemic, CVD risk was not statistically significantly higher among PWH vs. HIV-negative (HR 1.10 [0.89, 1.37], p = .38). Given the high prevalence of this syndemic combined with excess risk of CVD, these findings support linked-screening and treatment efforts.

Detailed statistical analysis plan for the short-term versus long-term mentalisation-based therapy for outpatients with subthreshold or diagnosed borderline personality disorder randomised clinical trial (MBT-RCT)

Background

Psychotherapy for borderline personality disorder is often extensive and resource-intensive. Mentalisation-based therapy is a psychodynamically oriented treatment option for borderline personality disorder, which includes a case formulation, psychoeducation, and group and individual therapy. The evidence on short-term compared with long-term mentalisation-based therapy is currently unknown.

Methods/design

The Short-Term MBT Project (MBT-RCT) is a single-centre, parallel-group, investigator-initiated, randomised clinical superiority trial in which short-term (20 weeks) will be compared with long-term (14 months) mentalisation-based therapy for outpatients with subthreshold or diagnosed borderline personality disorder. Outcome assessors, data managers, the data safety and monitoring committee, statisticians, and decision-makers will be blinded to treatment allocation. Participants will be assessed before randomisation and at 8, 16, and 24 months after randomisation. The primary outcome will be the severity of borderline symptomatology assessed with the Zanarini Rating Scale for Borderline Personality Disorder. Secondary outcomes will be functional impairment (Work and Social Adjustment Scale), quality of life (Short-Form Health Survey 36—mental component), global functioning (Global Assessment of Functioning), and proportion of participants with severe self-harm. In this paper, we present a detailed statistical analysis plan including a comprehensive explanation of the planned statistical analyses, methods to handle missing data, and assessments of the underlying statistical assumptions. Final statistical analyses will be conducted independently by two statisticians following the present plan.

Discussion

We have developed this statistical analysis plan before unblinding of the trial results in line with the Declaration of Helsinki and the International Conference on Harmonization of Good Clinical Practice Guidelines, which should increase the validity of the MBT-RCT trial by mitigation of analysis bias.

Trial registration

ClinicalTrials.gov NCT03677037. Registered on 19 September 2018

Supplementary Information

The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s13063-021-05450-y.

Effectiveness of collaborative care in reducing suicidal ideation: An individual participant data meta-analysis

To assess whether CC is more effective at reducing suicidal ideation in people with depression compared with usual care, and whether study and patient factors moderate treatment effects.

METHOD

We searched Medline, Embase, PubMed, PsycINFO, CINAHL, CENTRAL from inception to March 2020 for Randomised Controlled Trials (RCTs) that compared the effectiveness of CC with usual care in depressed adults, and reported changes in suicidal ideation at 4 to 6 months post-randomisation. Mixed-effects models accounted for clustering of participants within trials and heterogeneity across trials. This study is registered with PROSPERO, CRD42020201747.

RESULTS

We extracted data from 28 RCTs (11,165 patients) of 83 eligible studies. We observed a small significant clinical improvement of CC on suicidal ideation, compared with usual care (SMD, -0.11 [95%CI, -0.15 to -0.08]; I², 0·47% [95%CI 0.04% to 4.90%]). CC interventions with a recognised psychological treatment were associated with small reductions in suicidal ideation (SMD, -0.15 [95%CI -0.19 to -0.11]). CC was more effective for reducing suicidal ideation among patients aged over 65 years (SMD, - 0.18 [95%CI -0.25 to -0.11]).

CONCLUSION

Primary care based CC with an embedded psychological intervention is the most effective CC framework for reducing suicidal ideation and older patients may benefit the most.

Effect of Home Nursing Care on the Severity of Symptoms in Patients With Bipolar I Disorder: A Randomized Clinical Trial

Bipolar I disorder is a common, chronic, and recurrent disease in which improper and inadequate follow-up of patients after discharge leads to increased hospitalization. This study aimed at investigating the effect of home nursing care on the severity of symptoms of bipolar I disorder. This clinical trial was performed on 90 patients admitted to 22 Bahman Qazvin Hospital in 2019. The available sampling was done using random allocation of six blocks in experimental and control groups. In the experimental group, after leaving the hospital, the intervention was performed for 3 months in the form of two telephone calls and one face-to-face meeting per month. Data were collected using a demographic questionnaire, the Yang scale questionnaire, and entered into the SPSS-24 software. Statistical tests such as Mann-Whitney u test, Fisher, independent T-test, paired T-test, chi-square, and ANCOVA were used at the significance level of p < .05. The severity of the disease before the intervention in the experimental and control groups were (93/9 ± 25/32) and (04/11 ± 86/28), respectively, showing no statistically significant difference ( p = .146). However, after the intervention, the mean severity of the disease in the experimental and control groups were (17/5 ± 38/13) and (79/12 ± 21/33), respectively, showing a statistically significant difference ( p < .05). According to the results, the home nursing care for patients leads to a reduction in the severity of symptoms and a reduction in the rate of re-hospitalization of patients.

Psychological Health, Well-Being, and the Mind-Heart-Body Connection: A Scientific Statement From the American Heart Association

As clinicians delivering health care, we are very good at treating disease but often not as good at treating the person. The focus of our attention has been on the specific physical condition rather than the patient as a whole. Less attention has been given to psychological health and how that can contribute to physical health and disease. However, there is now an increasing appreciation of how psychological health can contribute not only in a negative way to cardiovascular disease (CVD) but also in a positive way to better cardiovascular health and reduced cardiovascular risk. This American Heart Association scientific statement was commissioned to evaluate, synthesize, and summarize for the health care community knowledge to date on the relationship between psychological health and cardiovascular health and disease and to suggest simple steps to screen for, and ultimately improve, the psychological health of patients with and at risk for CVD. Based on current study data, the following statements can be made: There are good data showing clear associations between psychological health and CVD and risk; there is increasing evidence that psychological health may be causally linked to biological processes and behaviors that contribute to and cause CVD; the preponderance of data suggest that interventions to improve psychological health can have a beneficial impact on cardiovascular health; simple screening measures can be used by health care providers for patients with or at risk for CVD to assess psychological health status; and consideration of psychological health is advisable in the evaluation and management of patients with or at risk for CVD.

Screening and referral is not enough: a qualitative exploration of barriers to access and uptake of mental health services in patients with cardiovascular diseases

Background

Cardiovascular diseases (CVD) are commonly comorbid with mental health disorders, portending poorer cardiac prognosis. Despite the high prevalence of depression and anxiety, and guidelines recommending routine depression screening and referral, uptake of mental healthcare in CVD populations remains low. Reasons for the underutilisation of mental health and psychological services for this population remain largely unknown.

Methods

Thirteen CVD patients with clinically significant psychological symptoms (depression, anxiety and/or stress) participated in one-on-one in-depth semi-structured interviews. Data were analysed using inductive thematic analysis.

Results

Barriers to uptake included the timing of referral and screening, with patients reporting a need for longer term follow-up. A lack of information provision and understanding around mental health and services, especially following cardiac-events were further barriers. A reluctance to report mental health or engage in services was also identified, with patients indicating a preference for informal peer support networks. A range of practical barriers such as mobility, transport and cost were also reported.

Conclusions

Longer term follow-up and routine mental health assessment may be beneficial to facilitate use of mental health services. Upskilling of practitioners around mental health may be a further avenue to promote information provision and enhance service use. Further focus on enhancing informal peer support may be a valuable initial approach for the CVD population. The implications for improving services and enhancing service use are discussed.

Personalized treatments for depressive symptoms in patients with advanced heart failure: A pragmatic randomized controlled trial

Objectives

Heart Failure is a chronic syndrome affecting over 5.7 million in the US and 26 million adults worldwide with nearly 50% experiencing depressive symptoms. The objective of the study is to compare the effects of two evidence-based treatment options for adult patients with depression and advanced heart failure, on depressive symptom severity, physical and mental health related quality of life (HRQoL), heart-failure specific quality of life, caregiver burden, morbidity, and mortality at 3, 6 and 12-months.

Methods

Trial design. Pragmatic, randomized, comparative effectiveness trial.

Interventions. The treatment interventions are: (1) Behavioral Activation (BA), a patient-centered psychotherapy which emphasizes engagement in enjoyable and valued personalized activities as selected by the patient; or (2) Antidepressant Medication Management administered using the collaborative care model (MEDS).

Participants. Adults aged 18 and over with advanced heart failure (defined as New York Heart Association (NYHA) Class II, III, and IV) and depression (defined as a score of 10 or above on the PHQ-9 and confirmed by the MINI International Neuropsychiatric Interview for the DSM-5) selected from all patients at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center who are admitted with heart failure and all patients presenting to the outpatient programs of the Smidt Heart Institute at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center. We plan to randomize 416 patients to BA or MEDS, with an estimated 28% loss to follow-up/inability to collect follow-up data. Thus, we plan to include 150 in each group for a total of 300 participants from which data after randomization will be collected and analyzed.

Conclusions

The current trial is the first to compare the impact of BA and MEDS on depressive symptoms, quality of life, caregiver burden, morbidity, and mortality in patients with depression and advanced heart failure. The trial will provide novel results that will be disseminated and implemented into a wide range of current practice settings.

Registration

ClinicalTrials.Gov Identifier: NCT03688100.

Efficacy of team-based collaborative care for distressed patients in secondary prevention of chronic coronary heart disease (TEACH): study protocol of a multicenter randomized controlled trial

BACKGROUND

Coronary heart disease (CHD) is the leading cause of death and years of life lost worldwide. While effective treatments are available for both acute and chronic disease stages there are unmet needs for effective interventions to support patients in health behaviors required for secondary prevention. Psychosocial distress is a common comorbidity in patients with CHD and associated with substantially reduced health-related quality of life (HRQoL), poor health behavior, and low treatment adherence.

METHODS

In a confirmatory, randomized, controlled, two-arm parallel group, multicenter behavioral intervention trial we will randomize 440 distressed CHD patients with at least one insufficiently controlled cardiac risk factor to either their physicians' usual care (UC) or UC plus 12-months of blended collaborative care (TeamCare = TC). Trained nurse care managers (NCM) will proactively support patients to identify individual sources of distress and risk behaviors, establish a stepwise treatment plan to improve self-help and healthy behavior, and actively monitor adherence and progress. Additional e-health resources are available to patients and their families. Intervention fidelity is ensured by a treatment manual, an electronic patient registry, and a specialist team regularly supervising NCM via videoconferences and recommending protocol and guideline-compliant treatment adjustments as indicated. Recommendations will be shared with patients and their physicians who remain in charge of patients' care. Since HRQoL is a recommended outcome by both, several guidelines and patient preference we chose a ≥ 50% improvement over baseline on the HeartQoL questionnaire at 12 months as primary outcome. Our primary hypothesis is that significantly more patients receiving TC will meet the primary outcome criterion compared to the UC group. Secondary hypotheses will evaluate improvements in risk factors, psychosocial variables, health care utilization, and durability of intervention effects over 18-30 months of follow-up.

DISCUSSION

TEACH is the first study of a blended collaborative care intervention simultaneously addressing distress and medical CHD risk factors conducted in cardiac patients in a European health care setting. If proven effective, its results can improve long-term chronic care of this vulnerable patient group and may be adapted for patients with other chronic conditions.

TRIAL REGISTRATION

German Clinical Trials Register, DRKS00020824, registered on 4 June, 2020; https://www.drks.de/drks_web/navigate.do?navigationId=trial.HTML&TRIAL_ID=DRKS00020824.

Psychiatric and Psychosomatic Consultation-Liaison Services in General Hospitals: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Effects on Symptoms of Depression and Anxiety

BACKGROUND

Psychiatric and psychosomatic consultation-liaison services (CL) are important providers of diagnosis and treatment for hospital patients with mental comorbidities and psychological burdens.

OBJECTIVE

To perform a systematic review and meta-analysis investigating the effects of CL on depression and anxiety.

METHODS

Following PRISMA guidelines, a systematic literature search was conducted until 2017. Included were published randomized controlled trials using CL interventions with adults in general hospitals, treatment as usual as control groups, and depression and/or anxiety as outcomes. Risk of bias was assessed using the Cochrane Risk of Bias Tool. Level of integration was assessed using the Standard Framework for Levels of Integrated Healthcare. Meta-analyses were performed using random effects models and meta-regression for moderator effects.

RESULTS

We included 38 studies (9,994 patients). Risk of bias was high in 17, unclear in 15, and low in 6 studies. Studies were grouped by type of intervention: brief interventions tailored to the patients (8), interventions based on specific treatment manuals (19), and integrated, collaborative care (11). Studies showed small to medium effects on depression and anxiety. Meta-analyses for depression yielded a small effect (d = -0.19, 95% CI: -0.30 to -0.09) in manual studies and a small effect (d = -0.33, 95% CI: -0.53 to -0.13) in integrated, collaborative care studies, the latter using mostly active control groups with the possibility of traditional consultation.

CONCLUSIONS

CL can provide a helpful first treatment for symptoms of depression and anxiety. Given that especially depressive symptoms in medically ill patients are long-lasting, the results underline the benefit of integrative approaches that respect the complexity of the illness.

Psychiatric and Psychological Interventions for Depression in Patients With Heart Disease: A Scoping Review

Depression in patients with cardiovascular disease is independently associated with progression of heart disease, major adverse cardiac events, and mortality. A wide variety of depression treatment strategies have been studied in randomized controlled trials as the field works to identify optimal depression treatments in this population. A contemporary scoping review of the literature can help to consolidate and synthesize the growing and disparate literature on depression treatment trials in people with cardiovascular disease. We conducted a scoping review utilizing a systematic search of the literature via 4 databases (PubMed, PsycINFO, EMBASE, and Google Scholar) from database inception to March 2020. We identified 42 relevant randomized controlled trials of depression treatment interventions in patients with cardiac disease (n=9181 patients with coronary artery disease, n=1981 patients with heart failure). Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors appear to be safe in patients with cardiac disease and to have beneficial effects on depression (and some suggestion of cardiac benefit) in patients with coronary artery disease, with less evidence of their efficacy in heart failure. In contrast, psychotherapy appears to be effective for depression in coronary artery disease and heart failure, but with less evidence of cardiac benefit. Newer multimodal depression care management approaches that utilize flexible approaches to patients' care have been less studied but appear promising across cardiac patient groups. Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors may be preferred in the treatment of patients with coronary artery disease, psychotherapy may be preferred in heart failure, and more flexible depression care management approaches have shown promise by potentially using both approaches based on patient needs.

Achieving Mental Health Equity: Collaborative Care

The literature supports the effectiveness of systems-based integrated care models, particularly collaborative care, to improve access, quality of care, and health outcomes for behavioral health conditions. There is growing evidence for the promise of collaborative care to reduce behavioral health disparities for racial and ethnic, low-income, and other at-risk populations. Using rapid literature review, this article highlights what is known about how collaborative care may promote health equity for behavioral health conditions, by reducing disparities in access, quality, and outcomes of care. Further, it explores innovative intervention and engagement strategies to promote behavioral health equity for at-risk groups.

Blended Collaborative Care to Treat Heart Failure and Comorbid Depression: Rationale and Study Design of the Hopeful Heart Trial

OBJECTIVE

Despite numerous improvements in care, morbidity from heart failure (HF) has remained essentially unchanged in recent years. One potential reason is that depression, which is comorbid in approximately 40% of hospitalized HF patients and associated with adverse HF outcomes, often goes unrecognized and untreated. The Hopeful Heart Trial is the first study to evaluate whether a widely generalizable telephone-delivered collaborative care program for treating depression in HF patients improves clinical outcomes.

METHODS

The Hopeful Heart Trial aimed to enroll 750 patients with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF) (ejection fraction ≤ 45%) including the following: (A) 625 patients who screened positive for depression both during their hospitalization (Patient Health Questionnaire [PHQ-2]) and two weeks following discharge (PHQ-9 ≥ 10); and (B) 125 non-depressed control patients (PHQ-2(-)/PHQ-9 < 5). We randomized depressed patients to either their primary care physician's "usual care" (UC) or to one of two nurse-delivered 12-month collaborative care programs for (a) depression and HFrEF ("blended") or (b) HrEFF alone (enhanced UC). Our co-primary hypotheses will test whether "blended" care can improve mental health-related quality of life versus UC and versus enhanced UC, respectively, on the Mental Component Summary of the Short-Form 12 Health Survey. Secondary hypotheses will evaluate the effectiveness of our interventions on mood, functional status, hospital readmissions, deaths, provision of evidence-based care for HFrEF, and treatment costs.

RESULTS

Not applicable.

CONCLUSIONS

The Hopeful Heart Trial will determine whether "blended" collaborative care for depression and HFrEF is more effective at improving patient-relevant outcomes than collaborative care for HFrEF alone or doctors' UC for HFrEF.

TRIAL REGISTRATION

ClinicalTrials.gov identifier NCT02044211.

Initiating Telephone Follow Up After Hospital Discharge From an Inpatient Psychiatric Setting to Reduce Recidivism

The purpose of the current evidence-based practice (EBP) project was to reduce recidivism in patients with depression after acute psychiatric hospital discharge through implementation of telephone follow up. Eight patients (intervention group) were called within 72 hours of discharge to reinforce discharge instructions and administer the Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9). The results were compared to 16 patients (control group) who were discharged during the same timeframe 1 year prior. The findings from the control group revealed one (6.25%) patient was readmitted and three (18.75%) patients visited the emergency department (ED) within 30 days of discharge. No one in the intervention group was readmitted or visited the ED within 30 days post discharge. Statistically significant differences were not detected in discharge telephone call status (received or did not receive) and readmissions (p = 1.000) and ED visits (p = 0.526). For six patients in the intervention group, the mean PHQ-9 score was 3.3, which was within a depression severity of none to minimal. This quality improvement project helped address patient lack of knowledge related to discharge instructions after being discharged from the hospital to home. [Journal of Psychosocial Nursing and Mental Health Services, 58(5), 25-31.].

A comparative effectiveness trial of an information technology enhanced peer-integrated collaborative care intervention versus enhanced usual care for US trauma care systems: Clinical study protocol

Annually approximately 2-3 million Americans are so severely injured that they require inpatient hospitalization. The study team, which includes patients, clinical researchers, front-line provider and policy maker stakeholders, has been working together for over a decade to develop interventions that target improvements for US trauma care systems nationally. This pragmatic randomized trial compares a multidisciplinary team collaborative care intervention that integrates front-line trauma center staff with peer interventionists, versus trauma team notification of patient emotional distress with mental health consultation as enhanced usual care. The peer-integrated collaborative care intervention will be supported by a novel emergency department exchange health information technology platform. A total of 424 patients will be randomized to peer-integrated collaborative care (n = 212) and surgical team notification (n = 212) conditions. The study hypothesizes that patient's randomized to peer integrated collaborative care intervention will demonstrate significant reductions in emergency department health service utilization, severity of patient concerns, post traumatic stress disorder symptoms, and physical limitations when compared to surgical team notification. These four primary outcomes will be followed-up at 1- 3-, 6-, 9- and 12-months after injury for all patients. The Rapid Assessment Procedure Informed Clinical Ethnography (RAPICE) method will be used to assess implementation processes. Data from the primary outcome analysis and implementation process assessment will be used to inform an end-of-study policy summit with the American College of Surgeons Committee on Trauma. The policy summit will facilitate acute care practice changes related to patient-centered care transitions over the course of a single 5-year funding cycle. Trial registration: (Clinicaltrials.govNCT03569878).

The role of relapse prevention for depression in collaborative care: A systematic review

BACKGROUND

Relapse (the re-emergence of depression symptoms before full recovery) is common in depression and relapse prevention strategies are not well researched in primary care settings. Collaborative care is effective for treating acute phase depression but little is known about the use of relapse prevention strategies in collaborative care. We undertook a systematic review to identify and characterise relapse prevention strategies in the context of collaborative care.

METHODS

We searched for Randomised Controlled Trials (RCTs) of collaborative care for depression. In addition to published material, we obtained provider and patient manuals from authors to provide more detail on intervention content. We reported the extent to which collaborative care interventions addressed four relapse prevention components.

RESULTS

93 RCTs were identified. 31 included a formal relapse prevention plan; 42 had proactive monitoring and follow-up after the acute phase; 39 reported strategies for optimising sustained medication adherence; and 20 of the trials reported psychological or psycho-educational treatments persisting beyond the acute phase or focussing on long-term health/relapse prevention. 30 (32.3%) did not report relapse prevention approaches.

LIMITATIONS

We did not receive trial materials for approximately half of the trials, which limited our ability to identify relevant features of intervention content.

CONCLUSION

Relapse is a significant risk amongst people treated for depression and interventions are needed that specifically address and minimise this risk. Given the advantages of collaborative care as a delivery system for depression care, there is scope for more consistency and increased effort to implement and evaluate relapse prevention strategies.

Health-related quality of life after heart surgery - Identification of high-risk patients: A cohort study

BACKGROUND

This cohort study evaluated factors, which have been shown to be relevant for Health-Related Quality of Live (HRQL) after cardiac surgery and investigated the combinatory impact on HRQL. Additionally, the aim was to introduce a first attempt to developing a risk estimation model which could identify patients at risk for impaired HRQL.

METHODS

For this single-centre cohort study, 6099 cardiac surgical patients (60% isolated coronary bypass surgery) filled in the Nottingham Health Profile (NHP) for the evaluation of HRQL six months after surgery and provided information regarding their medical and socio-demographic status. For the NHP scores the deviation to the matched normative data of a healthy sample was calculated. A robust linear regression examined factors that influence HRQL. As a next step, based on the regression model, a risk estimation model was developed which is a first attempt to classify patients into risk categories.

RESULTS

Male gender, age below 60 or between 60 and 74 years, living alone, no occupation, bypass surgery, NYHA status II, III or IV and chest pain were identified as risk factors to determine impaired HRQL. The model explains 29.13% of the variance. Based on the risk estimation model 27.4% were classified as medium or high risk.

CONCLUSIONS

For the first time a multilevel method was applied to evaluate HRQL after heart surgery showing that socio-demographic variables are important co-factors to dyspnea and chest pain. We take a first attempt in developing a new approach that should encourage further research in this field to frame a screening tool that may help identifying patients at risk in the future.

Bypassing the blues: Insomnia in the depressed post-CABG population

BACKGROUND

BACKGROUND: Recovery from coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) surgery often is complicated by depression and insomnia, resulting in poorer health-related quality of life and clinical outcomes. We explored the relationships among depression, insomnia, quality of life, and the impact of a collaborative care strategy on reducing insomnia in patients after CABG surgery.

METHODS

METHODS: Patients with a Patient Health Questionnaire score ≥10 were randomized to nurse-delivered collaborative care for depression (n = 150) or their physician’s usual care (n = 152). A convenience sample of patients without depression (n = 151) served as the control group. Using the Hamilton Depression Rating Scale sleep questions, we created an “insomnia index.”

RESULTS

RESULTS: At baseline, 63% of participants who were depressed vs 12% of those who were not depressed reported insomnia. Compared with usual care, fewer collaborative care participants reported insomnia at 8 months, and they tended to have a lower insomnia score (insomnia index change score −0.95 and −1.47, respectively; P = .05) with no time-by- randomization interaction, Cohen’s d = 0.22 (95% confidence interval, −0.001 to 0.43). Participants with baseline insomnia reported greater improvements in mental health–related quality of life (Medical Outcomes Survey 36-item Short Form Mental Component Summary score; −3.32, P = .02), but insomnia was not a significant moderator of the effect of collaborative care.

CONCLUSIONS

CONCLUSIONS: This is the first study to examine the long-term impact on insomnia among post-CABG patients treated for depression. Future collaborative care studies could consider including a therapeutic focus for insomnia.

The Relationship Between Clinician Turnover and Client Outcomes in Community Behavioral Health Settings

OBJECTIVE

High clinician turnover in community behavioral health settings can lead to increased costs and can have a negative impact on care quality. Few studies have examined the implications of clinician turnover for client outcomes. This study investigated changes in client outcomes associated with clinician turnover.

METHODS

The study used prospective observational data collected as part of a larger randomized controlled trial. Clients (N=328) from two community behavioral health centers identified the clinician (N=121) whom they saw most often. Clients completed measures of depression, anxiety, mental and physical health functioning, and patient activation at baseline, 6 months, and 12 months. Clinician turnover during the 12-month study was obtained from agency records. Latent growth curve modeling was used to analyze the data.

RESULTS

Of the 328 clients, 24% experienced clinician turnover. For all outcomes except depression, the association with turnover was moderated by baseline status on the outcome measure. Turnover tended to be associated with clinical decline for clients who at baseline had low to moderate anxiety, high patient activation, or high physical health functioning. Surprisingly, turnover was associated with increased mental health functioning for clients who at baseline had very low mental health functioning. For physical health functioning, the association with turnover was also moderated by age. Turnover was associated with a sharper decline in functioning for older clients.

CONCLUSIONS

Results suggest that clinician turnover was associated most strongly with decline for higher functioning or older clients, but it was not uniformly associated with worsening clinical outcomes.

The effect of executive function on adherence with a cardiac secondary prevention program and its interaction with an incentive-based intervention

Participation in secondary prevention programs such as cardiac rehabilitation (CR) reduces morbidity, mortality, and hospitalizations while improving quality of life. Executive function (EF) is a complex set of cognitive abilities that control and regulate behavior. EF predicts many health-related behaviors, but how EF interacts with interventions to improve treatment adherence is not well understood. The objective of this study is to examine if EF predicts CR treatment adherence and how EF interacts with an intervention to improve adherence. Data were collected from 2013 to 2018 in Vermont, USA. 130 Medicaid-enrolled individuals who had experienced a qualifying cardiac event were enrolled in a controlled clinical trial and randomized 1:1 to receive financial incentives for completing secondary prevention sessions or to usual care. In this secondary analysis, effects of EF on CR adherence (defined as completing ≥30/36 sessions) were examined in 112 participants (57 usual care, 55 intervention) who completed an EF battery. Delay-discounting, a measure of impulsivity, predicted CR adherence (p = 0.01) and interacted with the incentive intervention, such that those who exhibited greater discounting of future rewards benefitted more from the intervention than those who discounted less (F(1, 104) = 5.23, p = 0.02). Better cognitive flexibility, measured with the trail-making-task, also predicted CR adherence (p = 0.02). While EF has been associated with adherence to a variety of treatment regimens, this interaction between an incentive-based intervention to promote treatment adherence and EF is novel. This work illustrates the value of considering individual differences in EF when designing and implementing interventions to promote health-related behavior change.

Blended collaborative care in the secondary prevention of coronary heart disease improves risk factor control: Results of a randomised feasibility study

BACKGROUND

Risk factor control is essential in limiting the progression of coronary heart disease, but the necessary active patient involvement is often difficult to realise, especially in patients suffering psychosocial risk factors (e.g. distress). Blended collaborative care has been shown as an effective treatment addition, in which a (non-physician) care manager supports patients in implementing and sustaining lifestyle changes, follows-up on patients, and integrates care across providers, targeting both, somatic and psychosocial risk factors.

AIMS

The aim of this study was to test the feasibility, acceptance and effect of a six-month blended collaborative care intervention in Germany.

METHODS

For our randomised controlled pilot study with a crossover design we recruited coronary heart disease patients with ⩾1 insufficiently controlled cardiac risk factors and randomised them to either immediate blended collaborative care intervention (immediate intervention group, n=20) or waiting control (waiting control group, n=20).

RESULTS

Participation rate in the intervention phase was 67% (n=40), and participants reported high satisfaction (M=1.63, standard deviation=0.69; scale 1 (very high) to 5 (very low)). The number of risk factors decreased significantly from baseline to six months in the immediate intervention group (t(60)=3.07, p=0.003), but not in the waiting control group t(60)=-0.29, p=0.77). Similarly, at the end of their intervention following the six-month waiting period, the waiting control group also showed a significant reduction of risk factors (t(60)=3.88, p<0.001).

CONCLUSION

This study shows that blended collaborative care can be a feasible, accepted and effective addition to standard medical care in the secondary prevention of coronary heart disease in the German healthcare system.

Impact of Preoperative Functional Status on Quality of Life after Cardiac Surgery

BACKGROUND

 With increasing importance, health-related quality of life (HRQoL) has become a crucial outcome measure of cardiac surgery. The aim of this study was to assess the dynamics of HRQoL change within 12 months after surgery and to identify predictors of deterioration in physical and mental health.

METHODS

 The cohort of this prospective study included 164 consecutive patients who underwent elective surgery. HRQoL was assessed on the basis of the Short-Form 36 questionnaire at three different times: upon admission and at 3 and 12 months after surgery. The minimal clinically important difference (MCID) was used to determine whether the surgery resulted in deterioration of HRQoL.

RESULTS

 In general, physical and mental health status improved within the first year after cardiac surgery. However, after 12 months, 7.9 and 21.2% of patients had clinically significant poorer physical (PCS) and mental component summary (MCS) scores, based on the MCID approach. The results of multivariate analysis identified preoperative health status, age < 70 years, coronary artery bypass grafting, and a previous neurological event as predictors of deterioration in postoperative HRQoL. The greatest risks for deterioration were higher preoperative PCS and MCS scores.

CONCLUSION

 Although we were able to demonstrate a general improvement in the HRQoL following cardiac surgery, in one-fifth of patients, there was no recovery of mental health status even after 1 year. As this effect is mainly determined by preoperative functional status, HRQoL should be an integral part of medical consultation, especially in younger patients with a positive perception of quality of life.

Rationale, design, and baseline data for a multicenter randomized clinical trial comparing depression screening strategies after acute coronary syndrome: The comparison of depression identification after acute Coronary Syndromes-Quality of Life and Cost Outcomes (CODIACS-QOL) trial

BACKGROUND

Elevated depressive symptoms among survivors of acute coronary syndromes (ACS) confer recurrent cardiovascular events and mortality, worse quality of life, and higher healthcare costs. While multiple scientific groups advise routine depression screening for ACS survivors, no randomized trials exist to inform this screening recommendation. We aimed to assess the effect of screening for depression on change in quality of life over 18 months among ACS patients.

METHODS

The Comparison of Depression Identification after Acute Coronary Syndrome on Quality of Life and Cost Outcomes (CODIACS-QoL) trial is a pragmatic, 3-arm trial that randomized ACS patients to 1) systematic depression screening using the 8-item Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-8) and if positive screen (PHQ-8 ≥ 10), notification of primary care providers (PCPs) and invitation to participate in centralized, patient-preference, stepped depression care (Screen, Notify, and Treat, N = 499); 2) systematic depression screening and PCP notification only (Screen and Notify, N = 501); and 3) usual care (No Screen, N = 500). Adults hospitalized for ACS in the previous 2-12 months without prior history of depression were eligible for participation. Key outcomes will be quality-adjusted life years (primary), cost of health care utilization, and depression-free days across 18 months.

RESULTS

A total of 1500 patients were randomized in the CODIACS-QOL trial (28.3% women; 16.3% Hispanic; mean age 65.9 (11.5) years). Only 7% of ACS survivors had elevated depressive symptoms.

CONCLUSIONS

Using a novel randomization schema and pragmatic design principles, the CODIACS-QoL trial achieved its enrollment target. Eventual results of this trial will inform future depression screening recommendations in cardiac patients.

TRIAL REGISTRATION

ClinicalTrials.gov (NCT01993017).

Depression and Anxiety in Heart Failure: A Review

LEARNING OBJECTIVES

After participating in this activity, learners should be better able to:• Identify the relationships between depression, anxiety, and heart failure (HF).• Assess methods for accurately diagnosing depression and anxiety disorders in patients with HF.• Evaluate current evidence for treatment of anxiety and depression in patients with HF.

BACKGROUND

In patients with heart failure (HF), depression and anxiety disorders are common and associated with adverse outcomes such as reduced adherence to treatment, poor function, increased hospitalizations, and elevated mortality. Despite the adverse impact of these disorders, anxiety and depression remain underdiagnosed and undertreated in HF patients.

METHODS

We performed a targeted literature review to (1) identify associations between depression, anxiety, and HF, (2) examine mechanisms mediating relationships between these conditions and medical outcomes, (3) identify methods for accurately diagnosing depression and anxiety disorders in HF, and (4) review current evidence for treatments of these conditions in this population.

RESULTS

Both depression and anxiety disorders are associated with the development and progression of HF, including increased rates of mortality, likely mediated through both physiologic and behavioral mechanisms. Given the overlap between cardiac and psychiatric symptoms, accurately diagnosing depression or anxiety disorders in HF patients can be challenging. Adherence to formal diagnostic criteria and utilization of a clinical interview are the best courses of action in the evaluation process. There is limited evidence for the efficacy of pharmacologic and psychotherapy in patients with HF. However, cognitive-behavioral therapy has been shown to improve mental health outcomes in patients with HF, and selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors appear safe in this cohort.

CONCLUSIONS

Depression and anxiety disorders in HF patients are common, underrecognized, and linked to adverse outcomes. Further research to improve detection and develop effective treatments for these disorders in HF patients is badly needed.