Depression and mild cognitive problems in adults hospitalized with chronic heart failure

Prevalence of Depressive Symptoms and Cognitive Impairment and Their Association With Worse Outcomes in a Cohort of Hospitalized Patients With Chronic Heart Failure

Observational Lithuanian University of Health Sciences · NCT07284446

See if depressive symptoms and mild cognitive impairment lead to worse outcomes for adults (18–85) hospitalized with chronic heart failure.

Quick facts

Study typeObservational
Enrollment300 (estimated)
Ages18 Years to 85 Years
SexAll
SponsorLithuanian University of Health Sciences Academic / other
Locations1 site (Kaunas)
Trial IDNCT07284446 on ClinicalTrials.gov

What this trial studies

This single-center, prospective observational cohort at LSMU Kaunas Hospital will enroll adults aged 18–85 admitted primarily for chronic heart failure exacerbation. Clinically stable participants will complete questionnaires and brief cognitive testing to measure depressive symptoms and mild cognitive impairment, with exclusions for severe cognitive or visual impairment and short hospital stays. Investigators will link these baseline measures to clinical outcomes such as rehospitalizations and mortality to determine associations. The study aims to clarify prevalence and prognostic importance of mental health and cognitive symptoms in routine CHF inpatient care in the Kaunas region.

Who should consider this trial

Good fit: Adults 18–85 hospitalized primarily for a chronic heart failure exacerbation who are clinically stable, able to consent, not severely cognitively impaired, have a transthoracic echocardiogram available, and are expected to stay at least 96 hours.

Not a fit: Patients admitted for acute heart failure, those with very short stays (<96 hours), severe visual or cognitive impairments preventing testing, or without recent/planned TTE are unlikely to receive benefit from this protocol.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, the study could help identify hospitalized CHF patients at higher risk of rehospitalization or death so clinicians can target supportive care and follow-up.

How similar studies have performed: Prior studies have linked depression and cognitive impairment to worse outcomes in heart failure, so this approach builds on existing evidence though it is not yet routinely integrated into care.

Eligibility criteria

Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria:

* patient hospitalized primarily for CHF exacerbation;
* clinically stable, able to provide informed consent;
* do not have severe cognitive impairment that would preclude valid questionnaire administration.

Exclusion Criteria:

* hospitalization for acute heart failure;
* total length of hospital stay \<96 hours;
* absence of transthoracic echocardiography (TTE) within the last 12 months and no TTE planned;
* severe visual impairment preventing completion of the visual part of the Montreal Cognitive Assessment;
* refusal to participate.

Where this trial is running

Kaunas

Study contacts

How to participate

  1. Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
  2. Visit the official trial page on ClinicalTrials.gov for the most current contact information and recruitment status.
  3. Contact the listed study coordinator or principal investigator to request pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.
Conditions Congestive Heart Failure ChronicCognitive Impairment, MildDepressive Symptoms Mild to Moderate in SeverityCongestive Heart FailureMild Cognitive ImpairmentLong-term OutcomesMild Depressive SymptomsRehospitalizations
Last reviewed 2026-06-13 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.