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Depression Prevalence in Patients with Hypertension in a Single Outpatient Center
Journal article   Peer reviewed

Depression Prevalence in Patients with Hypertension in a Single Outpatient Center

Emmanuel Olumuyide, Richard Amoateng, Natthew Arunthamakun, Xiarepati Tierliwaerdi, Alexandra Johnston and Mrudula Gadani
SN comprehensive clinical medicine, v 8(1), 118
10 Apr 2026
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s42399-026-02343-6
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Abstract

General Medicine Medicine & Public Health
Introduction Hypertension and depressive symptoms are highly prevalent in the United States and are commonly addressed in outpatient care. This study evaluated the prevalence of depressive symptoms among adults with a documented diagnosis of hypertension. Methods We performed a retrospective cross-sectional analysis of 9,240 adults seen in a single outpatient clinic (2019–2022). Hypertension status was defined by clinician-documented hypertension in the electronic health record. The most recent visit was for blood pressure and PHQ-9. Depressive symptom burden was assessed using PHQ-9 (continuous and categorical), including PHQ-9 ≥ 5 as elevated depressive symptoms. Multivariable logistic regression adjusted for comorbidities. Results Of 9,240 patients, 40% had documented hypertension. Hypertensive Patients were older, more likely to be male, and Black (all p-values < 0.01). Mean PHQ-9 was slightly higher in the hypertensive group (2.97 ± 4.66 vs. 2.70 ± 4.93, p  < 0.001). Elevated depressive symptoms (PHQ-9 ≥ 5) were more common in hypertensive vs. non-hypertensive patients (22.5% vs. 19.4%; absolute difference 3.03% [95% CI 1.33–4.73]; unadjusted OR 1.20 [95% CI 1.08–1.33]) and remained associated after adjustment (adjusted OR 1.216, 95% CI 1.06–1.34; p  = 0.005). Conclusions In this outpatient cohort, documented hypertension was associated with a higher prevalence of elevated depressive symptoms. Routine depression screening (e.g., PHQ-9) and appropriate referral/treatment should be considered in hypertensive populations.

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