Effects of chronic disease self-management programs for participants with higher depression scores: secondary analyses of an on-line and a small-group program

This is the authors' abstract. We don't add key points for this paper.

Depression often accompanies chronic illness. Study aims included determining (1) the level of current depression (Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ)-8 ≥ 10) for two sets of Chronic Disease Self-Management Programs (CDSMP) participants; (2) if depression or other outcomes improved for those with PHQ-8 ≥ 10; and (3) if outcomes differed for participants with or without depression. This study utilized longitudinal secondary data analysis of depression cohorts (PHQ-8 ≥ 10) from two independent translational implementations of the CDSMP, small-group (N = 175) and Internet-based (N = 110). At baseline, 27 and 55 % of the two samples had PHQ-8 10 or greater. This decreased to 16 and 37 % by 12 months (p < 0.001). Both depressed and non-depressed cohorts demonstrated improvements in most 12-month outcomes (pain, fatigue, activity limitations, and medication adherence). The CDSMP was associated with long-term improvements in depression regardless of delivery mode or location, and the programs appeared beneficial for participants with and without depression.

CDSMPs were associated with reduced depression prevalence; hypothesis-generating and should not yet change practice pending RCTs.