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In depressed older persons higher blood pressure is associated with symptoms of apathy. The NESDO study

J E F Moonen1, A J M de Craen2, H C Comijs3

  • 1Department of Psychiatry,Leiden University Medical Center,Leiden,the Netherlands.

International Psychogeriatrics
|March 6, 2015
PubMed

Insights

Higher blood pressure in older adults with depression is linked to more apathy symptoms. This suggests apathy is key to understanding the blood pressure-depression connection in late life.

Area of Science:

  • Gerontology
  • Psychiatry
  • Cardiology

Background:

  • The link between blood pressure and depression in older adults is inconsistent.
  • Blood pressure may affect different depression symptom types uniquely.
  • This study investigates blood pressure's association with specific depressive symptoms in older individuals.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To examine the cross-sectional relationship between systolic blood pressure (SBP), diastolic blood pressure (DBP), and mean arterial pressure (MAP) with distinct depressive symptom domains.
  • To assess the association of blood pressure with apathy symptoms in depressed older persons.

Main Methods:

  • The study included 270 participants aged 60+ diagnosed with depression from the Netherlands Study of Depression in Older Persons (NESDO).
  • Depressive symptoms were assessed using the Inventory of Depressive Symptoms-Self Report (IDS-SR) subscales (motivational, mood, somatic).
  • Apathy was measured using the Apathy Scale; multiple linear regression analyzed associations between blood pressure and symptom scores.

Main Results:

  • Higher SBP, DBP, and MAP were significantly associated with increased Apathy Scale scores.
  • Specifically, higher SBP correlated with higher scores on the IDS-SR mood subscale.
  • These associations remained significant after full adjustment in regression models.

Conclusions:

  • Depressed older adults with higher blood pressure readings exhibited more pronounced apathy symptoms.
  • Apathy appears to play a crucial role in the relationship between blood pressure and late-life depression.
  • Further research should focus on apathy to clarify the complex interplay between blood pressure and depression in the elderly.
Abstract

Keywords:
apathyblood pressuredepressionolder persons

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