Depressive symptoms are prevalent in patients with chronic heart failure, but information about the relationship between depressive symptoms and dyspnea in chronic heart failure patients is limited.

To assess the prevalence and mutual association between depressive symptoms and dyspnea in Chinese patients with chronic heart failure.

A cross-sectional design was used in this study. One hundred and fifty-two patients with chronic heart failure (mean age 67 years, 57% female) were recruited from cardiovascular wards of hospitals. Depressive symptoms were measured with the Beck Depression Inventory, whereas dyspnea was evaluated with the Modified Pulmonary Functional Status and Dyspnea Questionnaire. Other data were obtained via patient interview and/or medical record review.

Out of 152 patients with chronic heart failure, 136 patients (89.5%) experienced dyspnea, whereas depressive symptoms were observed in 67 patients (44.1%). The transformed Beck Depression Inventory score correlated with dyspnea score positively (r = 0.54, p < 0.01). Multiple regression analysis revealed that gender, monthly income, body mass index, New York Heart Association class and dyspnea score contributed to depressive symptoms in Chinese patients with chronic heart failure. In addition, Beck Depression Inventory score and ejection fraction were identified as independent factors that contributed to dyspnea.

In Chinese patients with chronic heart failure, the prevalence for both depressive symptoms and dyspnea is high and depressive symptoms and dyspnea are related to each other. Our results implicate that managing depressive symptoms and dyspnea appropriately is of great importance to patients with chronic heart failure.