Cardiovascular risk factors are associated with an increased risk of depression in older adults, suggested a new study.
The study was led by Sandra Martín-Pélez from the University of Granada in Spain and her colleagues. The research findings were published in the open-access journal PLOS ONE.
Heart disease and depression are thought to be closely related because of similar risk factors, including inflammation and oxidative stress. Although it has been shown that depression may be a risk factor for developing heart disease, studies analyzing the potential impact of heart health on developing depression are scarce.
Also read: Five Yogasanas To Relieve Migraine, Improve Heart Health: See
In the new study, researchers used data from an ongoing 6-year multi-centre randomized trial in Spain that compared men aged 55-75 and women aged 60-75 with overweight or obesity to a Mediterranean diet. Analyzes effects. 6,545 individuals with no cardiovascular or endocrine disease at baseline were included in the present analysis.
A cardiovascular risk score was calculated for each individual according to the Framingham-based REGICOR function, dividing participants into low (LR), moderate (MR), or high/very high (HR) cardiovascular risk groups. Depressive status was ascertained using a questionnaire at baseline and after 2 years of follow-up.
At baseline, women in the HR group showed a higher likelihood of a depressive state than the LR women (OR 1.78 95% CI 1.26–2.50). In addition, among all participants with total cholesterol below 160 mg/mL, MR and HR individuals reported depression compared to LR (MR: OR 1.77 95% CI 1.13-2.77; HR: OR 2.83 95% CI 1.25-) appeared more likely. 6.42).
In contrast, among participants with a total cholesterol of 280 mg/mL or higher, MR and HR individuals had a lower risk of depression than LR (MR: OR 0.26 95% CI 0.07–0.98; HR: OR 0.23 95% CI) . 0.05-0.95).
After two years, during which time all individuals were instructed to follow the Mediterranean diet as part of the trial, participants had on average a decrease in their depressive status score, compared to the MR and HR for the participants with higher baseline cholesterol. The greatest decrease was observed with level.
The authors said that high and very high cardiovascular risks are associated with depressive symptoms, especially in women, and the role of other factors, such as adherence to the Mediterranean diet, deserves further research.
“Higher cardiovascular risk, especially in women, is associated with symptoms of depression in the elderly,” the authors concluded.
This story has been published without modification in text from a wire agency feed.
