Takeaway
- History of depression was associated with an increased risk for atrial stiffness (AS) during midlife and this association was mainly driven by metabolic syndrome (Mets).
- Combined effects of inflammation and Mets increased the magnitude of the association between depression and AS.
Why this matter
- Combining data on Mets and inflammation may aid in early identification of future cardiovascular risk in adult patients with depression.
Study design
- A population-based retrospective cohort study included 124,445 participants using the data from the UK biobank.
- Main outcome: Peripherally assessed AS index (ASI) using digital photoplethysmography
- Funding: The National Institute for Health Research Biomedical Research Centre and others.
Key results
- In patients without Mets, a significant direct association was observed between depression and ASI levels (β=0.25; 95% CI, 0.17-0.32; P<.001).
- A significant indirect association was observed between depression and ASI levels (β=0.10; 95% CI, 0.07-0.13; P=.001) and 29% of the association of depression with ASI was mediated by MetS.
- The addition of C-reactive protein to the MetS criteria increased the magnitude of the association between depression and ASI levels by 37% (direct association: β=0.21; 95% CI, 0.15-0.28; indirect association: β=0.13; 95% CI, 0.10-0.17; P<.001 for both).
- Concerning components of MetS, the association between depression and ASI levels was mainly (29%) driven by waist circumference in women (direct association: β=0.28; 95% CI, 0.19-0.36; indirect association: β=0.11; 95% CI, 0.08-0.14; P<.001 for both).
- In men, hypertriglyceridemia accounted for the highest proportion of association between depression and ASI (direct association: β=0.22; 95% CI, 0.05-0.40; P<.001; indirect association: β=0.05; 95% CI, 0.02-0.08; P=.002).
Limitations
- Retrospective design.
- Misclassification of depression because of self-reported data.
References
References