The influence of depression on risk development of acute cardiovascular diseases in the female population aged 25–64 in Russia

BACKGROUND: Recent studies showed that depression was an independent predictor of mortality from cardio-vascular disease in healthy women. OBJECTIVE: To explore the effect of depression (D) on relative risk (RR) of myocardial infarction (MI) and stroke for 16 years (1995-2010) in the female population aged 25-64 years from Novosibirsk, Russia. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Under the third screening of the WHO "MONICA-psychosocial" (MOPSY) programme, a cohort of women aged 25-64 years (N=560) was surveyed. Women were followed for 16 years for the incidence of MI and stroke (1995-2010). D was measured at the baseline examination by means of test "MOPSY". Participants having stroke, MI, arterial hypertension, coronary artery diseases and diabetes in their medical history at the baseline were excluded from this analysis. RESULTS: The prevalence of D in women aged 25-64 years was 55.2%. With the growth of D levels, positive self-rated health reduced and almost 100% of those women have complaints about their health, but considered the care of their health insufficient. Women with major D significantly extended negative behavioral habits: smoking and unsuccessful attempts to give up, low physical activity, and less likely to follow a diet (healthy food). Major D associated with high job strain and family stress. Relative risk (RR) of MI development in women with D during 16 years of study was higher in 2.53 cases (p<0.05) and risk of stroke was higher in 4.63 cases (p<0.05). CONCLUSIONS: The prevalence of D in women aged 25-64 years was >50%. Women with D had a 2.53-fold risk of MI and 4.63-fold risk of stroke during the 16 years of follow-up.