Better Care for Multiple Conditions

People with a medical disease and depression often have poorer health than people who are not depressed. But a small study finds that treating both conditions together can improve results. The study included 214 people with depression. They also had heart disease, diabetes or both. People were randomly divided into two groups. One group got regular care. People in the other group worked with a nurse coach to manage their care. The study lasted 12 months. By the end, people who worked with the nurse had better health than people who got regular care. They were in better control of blood sugar, LDL (“bad cholesterol”) and blood pressure. They also were less depressed than people who got regular care. The New England Journal of Medicine published the study. The Los Angeles Times wrote about it December 30.