Research update for articles published in EJCI in 2011

Depression affects 13–77% of patients with chronic heart failure (CHF), and it is independently associated with hospitalization and mortality in elderly CHF patients [14]. Depression is an obstacle to CHF self-care, and it is associated with nonadherence to medications and diet recommendations [14]. Particularly in elders, depression is associated with impaired cognition, and it may interfere with the ability to learn, perceive symptoms, judge severity of symptoms and make decisions about symptoms [14]. Finally, depression often leads to social isolation and therefore to a poor social support, which is important in self-care [15]. Antidepressant drug in CHF patients with depression should be considered, especially selective serotonin reuptake [14]. The Sertraline Against Depression and Heart Disease in Chronic Heart Failure study confirms these data [16]. Finally, physical activity whose positive effect on the heart is still unknown [17], appears to be effective in reducing depression in elderly patients with CHF