P5403The Relationship between depressive symptom, emotional status, carotid atherosclerotic burden in Corinthia Study

Introduction: It has been long hypothesized that emotional factors and depression may play a role in the development and progression of atherosclerotic lesions. Purpose: The aim of this study was to examine the association between depression, arterial stiffness and atheromatic burden in carotid arteries. Methods: Corinthia study is a cross-sectional epidemiological study based on 2043 inhabitants (age 40–99years) of Corinthia region in Greece. IMT was measured in the left and right common carotid artery, carotid bulb and internal carotid artery. The average of the measurements (AveregIMT) and the maximum thickness (MaxIMT) were determined as the representative value of carotid atherosclerosis burden. Pulse wave velocity (PWV) was used to evaluate arterial stiffness. The Zung self-rating depression scale was used to evaluate depressive symptoms in subjects younger than 65 years old. Results: From the studied individuals 42% presented depression (mild, moderate/severe). Subjects with depression were older (55±8years vs. 54±8years, p=0.04) and female (70% vs. 51%, p<0.001). PWV was increased in subjects with depression compared to subjects with no depression (8.29±2.44m/sec vs. 7.85±1.86m/sec, p=0.008). There was a stepwise increased in AveregIMT, MaxIMT, and PWV according to depression scale (Figure 1). Importantly, PWV was significantly associated with Zung score even after adjustment for many confounders (b=0.023, p=0.013) (Figure 1).