Depression and heart link questioned

MONTREAL, Nov. 13 (UPI) -- U.S. and Canadian researchers are questioning the American Heart Association's suggestion that all heart patients be screened for depression.

A report published in the Nov. 12 Journal of the American Medical Association said there is not enough medical evidence to support such a massive undertaking.

"It's a very appealing idea that non-mental health professionals can administer a quick, easy-to-use depression screening test, and that would somehow benefit patients," Brett Thombs, a psychologist and assistant professor at McGill University's Faculty of Medicine, said in a statement. "Unfortunately, the reality is that it would be an extremely difficult undertaking that wouldn't produce practical benefits for patients."

Thombs said a detailed review of 17 clinical studies shows screening alone or screening and referral doesn't help most patients. "We see positive effects only in 'enhanced care' or 'collaborative care,' environments where they have mental-health specialists on call. And even there we only see tiny effects," he said.

The report said researchers found no connection between treatment for depression and cardiovascular outcomes, such as subsequent heart attack.