Association of hypotension with positive and negative affect and depressive symptoms in the elderly

BACKGROUND: Previous research associating hypotension with depression has produced inconsistent results. A possible reasons is that depressive symptom scales reflect both high negative affect and low positive affect. AIMS: To examine the association of hypotension with depressive symptoms, negative affect and positive affect. METHOD: Community survey of 340 elderly persons aged 77-99 years. RESULTS: Diastolic hypotension had a weak association with depression, no association with negative affect and a strong inverse association with positive affect. Systolic hypertension was associated with positive affect. Use of antihypertensive medication was independently associated with lower positive affect. CONCLUSIONS: Diastolic hypotension shows a specific association with low positive affect. This association may explain the weak and inconsistent results of earlier studies relating hypotension to depression.