Key result
Psychological intervention linked to improved blood pressure control and lower depression scores vs standard therapy.
Why the study?
Managing blood pressure in patients with hypertension and co-occurring depression presents significant challenges, necessitating the optimization of clinical management strategies such as combining paroxetine with psychological intervention.
Does adding psychological intervention to standard antihypertensive treatment and paroxetine improve blood pressure, depression severity, and quality of life in patients with hypertension and comorbid depression?
Observational (n=180)
No
Does adding psychological intervention to standard antihypertensive treatment and paroxetine improve blood pressure, depression severity, and quality of life in patients with hypertension and comorbid depression?
Incorporating psychological intervention alongside standard antihypertensive therapy and paroxetine is associated with improved blood pressure control, reduced depression and anxiety symptoms, and better quality of life in patients with hypertension and comorbid depression.
Answers are grounded in this paper and cite their sources.
Associated with improved BP and depression scores in comorbid patients; hypothesis-generating and requires RCTs before practice change.
BACKGROUND Managing blood pressure in patients with hypertension and co-occurring depression presents significant challenges, necessitating the optimization of relevant clinical management strategies. AIM To examine the effects of paroxetine combined with psychological intervention on blood pressure, depression severity, and quality of life (QoL) in patients with hypertension and comorbid depression. METHODS A total of 180 patients with hypertension and comorbid depression treated at our hospital from November 2023 to November 2025 were retrospectively analyzed. Participants were categorized based on the treatment regimens received: The control group (*n* = 85) received standard antihypertensive therapy with paroxetine, while the research group (*n* = 95) received psychological intervention along with standard antihypertensive treatment and paroxetine. The two groups were compared regarding efficacy, blood pressure [systolic blood pressure (SBP) and diastolic blood pressure (DBP)], negative emotions [assessed via the Hamilton Depression Scale (HAMD) and Hamilton Anxiety Scale (HAMA)], treatment compliance, QoL [measured with the 36-Item Short Form Health Survey (SF-36)], and treatment satisfaction. RESULTS The analysis indicated that the total effective treatment rate in the research group was significantly higher than that of the control group. After intervention, the research group demonstrated significantly lower SBP and DBP, as well as HAMD and HAMA scores, alongside higher treatment compliance, improved SF-36 scores (covering physical function, role-emotional, bodily pain, and mental health), and enhanced overall treatment satisfaction compared to the control group. CONCLUSION Our findings suggest that, with consistent basic treatment, the incorporation of psychological intervention correlates with improved short-term clinical outcomes in patients with hypertension and comorbid depression.
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Zhang et al. (2026) conducted an observational in Hypertension and comorbid depression (n=180). Psychological intervention with paroxetine and standard antihypertensive treatment vs. Standard antihypertensive therapy with paroxetine was evaluated on Total effective treatment rate, blood pressure (SBP/DBP), and depression/anxiety scores (HAMD/HAMA). Psychological intervention added to paroxetine and antihypertensive therapy (n=95) significantly improved efficacy and reduced blood pressure and depression scores vs control (n=85).
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