Depression and comorbid chronic physical health diseases in the Australian population: A scoping review

OBJECTIVE: Chronic diseases are a major challenge in Australia, contributing to disability, premature mortality, and a significant healthcare burden. This burden is intensified when depression, a common mental health issue, co-occurs with chronic diseases. This scoping review aimed to investigate the relationship between depression and comorbid chronic diseases, namely cardiovascular disease (CVD), diabetes, asthma, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) in the Australian population. METHODS: Following Joanna Briggs Institute (JBI) methodology, this scoping review searched for English-language articles published between January 2013 and December 2023. The review targeted studies examining depression and selected comorbid chronic diseases within the Australian population. Two independent reviewers conducted data screening and extraction, with results synthesised into tables and summarised narratively. RESULTS: The search yielded 31 quantitative studies, highlighting a high prevalence of depression co-occurring with chronic diseases. Key findings included the worsening of chronic disease severity by depression, compounded by gender and age disparities, and the impact of socioeconomic factors impairing the quality of life. The review also identified significant challenges in the provision of care, particularly in rural areas, emphasising the need for integrated care models, and enhanced healthcare training. CONCLUSION: This review revealed critical research gaps in understanding the relationship between depression and chronic diseases, particularly regarding underrepresented groups such as younger adults and rural populations. It highlights the need for improved diagnostic criteria, treatment approaches, and professional training, advocating for targeted research and policy interventions to improve outcomes and quality of life for individuals with depression and selected comorbid chronic diseases.