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Depression and cardiovascular morbidity and mortality: cause or consequence?
- Source :
-
European heart journal [Eur Heart J] 2003 Nov; Vol. 24 (22), pp. 2027-37. - Publication Year :
- 2003
-
Abstract
- Background: Depression after myocardial infarction has been associated with increased cardiovascular mortality. This study assessed whether depressive symptoms were associated with adverse outcomes in people with a history of an acute coronary syndrome, and evaluated possible explanations for such an association.<br />Methods and Results: Depressive symptoms were assessed using the General Health Questionnaire at least 5 months after hospital admission for acute myocardial infarction or unstable angina in 1130 participants of the Long-Term Intervention with Pravastatin in Ischaemic Disease (LIPID) Study, a multicentre, placebo-controlled, clinical trial of cholesterol-lowering treatment. Cardiovascular symptoms, self-rated general health, cardiovascular risk factors, employment status, social support and life events were also assessed at the baseline visit. Cardiovascular death (n=114), non-fatal myocardial infarction (n=108), non-fatal stroke (n=53) and unstable angina (n=274) were documented during a median follow-up period of 8.1 years. Individuals with depressive symptoms (General Health Questionnaire score >/=5; 22% of participants) were more likely to report angina, dyspnoea, claudication, poorer general health, not being in paid employment, few social contacts and/or adverse life events (P<0.05 for all). There was a modest association between depressive symptoms and cardiovascular events (hazard ratio [HR] 1.42, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.13-1.77), but not cardiovascular death (HR 1.12. 95% CI 0.71-1.77). After adjustment for symptoms related to cardiovascular disease, the HR for cardiovascular events was 1.22 (95% CI 0.97-1.53). After further adjustment for employment status, social support and life events, the HR was 1.13 (95% confidence interval 0.87-1.47).<br />Conclusions: There was no significant association between depressive symptoms and fatal or non-fatal cardiovascular events after adjustment for cardiovascular symptoms associated with poorer prognosis. Previously observed associations between depression and cardiovascular mortality may not be causal.
- Subjects :
- Adult
Aged
Australia epidemiology
Cardiovascular Diseases epidemiology
Cardiovascular Diseases psychology
Confounding Factors, Epidemiologic
Disease-Free Survival
Female
Follow-Up Studies
Humans
Male
Middle Aged
New Zealand epidemiology
Prognosis
Proportional Hazards Models
Risk Factors
Severity of Illness Index
Socioeconomic Factors
Cardiovascular Diseases complications
Depression complications
Subjects
Details
- Language :
- English
- ISSN :
- 0195-668X
- Volume :
- 24
- Issue :
- 22
- Database :
- MEDLINE
- Journal :
- European heart journal
- Publication Type :
- Academic Journal
- Accession number :
- 14613739
- Full Text :
- https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ehj.2003.08.017