Comparison of Major and Minor Depression in Older Medical Inpatients With Chronic Heart and Pulmonary Disease

Depressed medical inpatients with congestive heart failure (CHF) and/or chronic pulmonary disease (CPD) were examined to determine characteristics distinguishing major depression (N = 413) from minor depression (N = 587). Consecutively admitted patients age 50 or over were screened for depressive disorder with the Structured Clinical Interview for Depression (SCID–IV). CHF/CPD patients with major depression differed from those with minor depression not only on number and severity of depressive symptoms but also on race/ethnicity, comorbid psychiatric illnesses, dyspnea, life stressors, social support, and previous antidepressant therapy. CHF/CPD patients with major and minor depression have distinct psychosocial and physical characteristics that distinguish one from another.