Key result
Accumulative depressive symptoms over three follow-ups were not significantly associated with carotid intima-media thickness or its progression over six years in healthy, asymptomatic young adults.
Why the study?
Does an accumulation of depressive symptoms predict increased carotid intima-media thickness or its progression in asymptomatic young adults?
Cohort (n=996)
Single-blind
Yes
Does an accumulation of depressive symptoms predict increased carotid intima-media thickness or its progression in asymptomatic young adults?
p-value: p=≥0.67
Accumulated depressive symptoms over a 9-year period do not predict subclinical atherosclerosis (carotid IMT) or its progression in healthy young adults.
No association seen with cumulative depressive symptoms and IMT; challenges prior positive findings in men and leaves the link open.
BACKGROUND: The association between depressive symptoms and subclinical atherosclerosis has been inconsistent. PURPOSE: We sought to replicate our previous study, which demonstrated a positive relation between depressive symptoms and subclinical atherosclerosis assessed with carotid intima-media thickness (IMT) in men, using a newer measurement of carotid IMT and a cumulative loading of depressive symptoms over three follow-ups. METHODS: The sample comprised 996 adults (352 men) aged 30 to 45 years in 2007 from a prospective population-based Finnish sample. The participants completed a modified version of Beck Depression Inventory in 1992, 1997, and 2001. Carotid IMT was assessed with ultrasound in 2001 and 2007. Cardiovascular risk factors (i.e., body mass index, systolic blood pressure, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, and smoking) were measured in childhood (1980) and in adulthood (2007). RESULTS: We found no association between the accumulative depression index and carotid IMT before or after controlling for the traditional risk factors (all p values ≥0.67). Depressive symptoms did not predict IMT progression over two time points and the highest level of carotid wall thickening. Imputed and non-imputed data sets provided similar results. Results remained the same when men and women were analyzed separately. Additional analyses revealed no significant interactions between depressive symptoms and cardiovascular risk factors (i.e., body mass index and systolic blood pressure) on carotid IMT (all p values >0.15). CONCLUSIONS: The findings of this population-based study did not indicate any direct association between depressive symptoms and carotid IMT in asymptomatic, young adults.
No takes yet. Share an insight, caveat, or question.
Keltikangas‐Järvinen et al. (2017) conducted a cohort in Subclinical atherosclerosis (n=996). Accumulative depressive symptoms vs. Lower levels of depressive symptoms was evaluated on Carotid intima-media thickness (IMT) and IMT progression over 6 years (p=≥0.67). Accumulative depressive symptoms over three follow-ups were not significantly associated with carotid intima-media thickness or its progression over six years in healthy, asymptomatic young adults.
Synapse has enriched 5 closely related papers on similar clinical questions. Consider them for comparative context: