Key result
Diastolic BP >85 mmHg in untreated men is linked to lower 3-year depression risk.
Why the study?
The relationship between blood pressure and risk of depression in elderly community-dwelling people was unclear.
Is blood pressure associated with the risk of depression in elderly people?
Cohort (n=1,070)
No
Is blood pressure associated with the risk of depression in elderly people?
The study found no evidence supporting an association between low blood pressure and coincidental or future depressive illness in the elderly.
No evidence links low BP to depression in elderly; hypothesis-generating association in untreated men leaves causal role open.
A total of 1070 men and women aged 65 years and over living in the community in Liverpool were interviewed using the Geriatric Mental State. Diagnoses of depression at case and subcase level were made using the GMS-AGECAT package from an initial interview and at follow-up three years later. Data relating to blood pressure at year 0 was available on 748 subjects. Men not taking anti-hypertensives or antidepressants with diastolic blood pressure greater than 85 mmHg were significantly less likely to be subcases than men with low or normal diastolic pressure. People in this group were also significantly less likely to be cases 3 years later. There were no other significant findings. These results do not support an association between low blood pressure and coincidental or future subcase- or case-level depressive illness.
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Gilmore et al. (1995) conducted a cohort in Depression (n=1,070). Diastolic blood pressure > 85 mmHg vs. Low or normal diastolic pressure was evaluated on Depression at case and subcase level. Diastolic blood pressure >85 mmHg in men not on anti-hypertensives or antidepressants was associated with a significantly lower likelihood of concurrent and future depression at 3 years.
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