Associations between cardiac structure and function and depressive disorder: A centenarian study in China

Area of Science:

• Gerontology
• Cardiology
• Psychiatry

Background:

• Depressive disorder frequently co-occurs with cardiovascular diseases, increasing mortality risks.
• The link between cardiac structure/function and depression in centenarians is not well understood.
• Centenarians represent a unique population for studying aging-related health conditions.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the association between cardiac structure and function and depressive disorder in centenarians.
• To identify specific cardiac parameters related to depressive disorder in this extreme age group.

Main Methods:

• Utilized data from the China Hainan Centenarian Cohort Study.
• Assessed depressive disorder using the 15-item Geriatric Depression Scale.
• Evaluated cardiac structure and function via echocardiography.

Main Results:

• A high prevalence of depressive disorder (26.2%) was observed in 682 centenarians.
• Depressive disorder was associated with significantly higher left ventricular ejection fraction and interventricular septum thickness.
• Left ventricular ejection fraction and interventricular septum thickness were independently associated with depressive disorder.

Conclusions:

• Depressive disorder is common in Chinese centenarians, with significant cardiac associations.
• Left ventricular ejection fraction and interventricular septum thickness may play a role in depressive disorder among the oldest old.
• Future research should explore temporal relationships to improve cardiac health and prevent depression in aging populations.