In Brief

Integration of Depression and Hypertension Treatment: A Pilot, Randomized Controlled Trial

Hillary R. Bogner , and colleagues

Background Past research suggests the importance of coordinating the management of depression with management of other medical conditions, especially cardiovascular disease. An integrated approach to care might also be more acceptable to patients than managing depression alone. In this study, researchers examine whether a single program to treat depression and care for high blood pressure improves older patients' depression symptoms, blood pressure control, and willingness to take depression and blood pressure medications.

What This Study Found Compared with other patients, primary care patients who receive an integrated approach to care have lower blood pressure and fewer depressive symptoms, and they take their depression and blood pressure medications at higher rates.

Implications

• Integrated programs may be especially valuable in medical practices where there are competing demands for limited resources.
• Further research is needed to evaluate an integrated care approach in a larger sample of patients with longer periods of follow-up.