Key Points
- To examine the relationships between depressive symptoms, substance use, treatment adherence behaviors, and blood pressure levels in urban hypertensive Black men.
- Analyzed baseline cross-sectional data from N=190 urban hypertensive Black men enrolled in an ongoing clinical trial for hypertension control.
- Assessed depressive symptoms using the Center for Epidemiological Studies-Depression Scale (CES-D > 16 indicating high risk) and alcohol abuse or dependence via DSM-IV criteria.
- Evaluated correlations among depression, alcohol and illicit drug use, smoking, dietary compliance, medication adherence, and blood pressure.
- Clinical depression risk was identified in 27.4% of the cohort and was strongly associated with DSM-IV alcohol abuse or dependence (OR = 5.2; 95% CI, 1.897–14.214).
- Higher depression scores significantly correlated with poor medication compliance (r = .301) and poor dietary compliance (r = .164).
- Multivariate analysis found no direct relationship between depression and blood pressure level, though substance use and depressive symptoms significantly correlated with poor adherence and adverse blood pressure outcomes.
Structured PICO
PPopulation190 urban hypertensive Black men enrolled in an ongoing hypertension control clinical trial
OOutcomeRelationships between depression, alcohol and illicit drug use, adherence behaviors, and blood pressure (BP)
In urban hypertensive Black men, depression is highly prevalent and strongly associated with substance abuse and poor medication adherence, highlighting the need for comprehensive interventions to improve cardiovascular outcomes.