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Association of depressive symptoms with coagulation factors in young healthy individuals

Athanassios D Doulalas1, Loukianos S Rallidis, Theodoros Gialernios

  • 1Cardiology Department, 424 General Army Hospital, Thessaloniki, Greece.

Atherosclerosis
|August 4, 2005
PubMed

Insights

Depressive symptoms in young adults are linked to higher levels of blood clotting factors VII and X. This hypercoagulant state may contribute to an increased risk of coronary heart disease (CHD).

Area of Science:

  • Cardiovascular Health
  • Psychiatry
  • Hematology

Background:

  • Depression is an established risk factor for coronary heart disease (CHD).
  • The relationship between depressive symptoms and cardiovascular markers in young, healthy individuals remains under-explored.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the association between depressive symptoms and specific lipids and coagulation factors in young adults without CHD.

Main Methods:

  • 1073 healthy young adults (mean age 18.4 years) were assessed for depressive symptoms using the Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory.
  • Measurements included total cholesterol, triglycerides, HDL, LDL, lipoprotein (a), fibrinogen, and coagulation factors VII, VIII, and X.

Main Results:

  • Individuals with higher depression scores exhibited significantly elevated levels of coagulation factors VII and X.
  • Depression was identified as an independent predictor of higher factor VII levels.
  • Factor VII and X levels showed significant associations with triglyceride and cholesterol levels.

Conclusions:

  • Depressed mood in young adults is associated with a hypercoagulant profile, indicated by increased levels of factors VII and X.
  • This hypercoagulability may partially explain the elevated risk of CHD observed in individuals experiencing depressive symptoms.
Abstract

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