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Reduction of arterial stiffness in depressive individuals responding to multimodal treatment

E M D Schönthaler1, C Hamm1, B Reininghaus1

  • 1Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapeutic Medicine, Medical University of Graz, Auenbruggerplatz 31, 8036, Graz, Austria.

Journal of Psychiatric Research
|May 19, 2023
PubMed

Insights

Multimodal treatment for depression significantly reduced arterial stiffness (pulse wave velocity) in responders, but not non-responders. This highlights the clinical importance of combined interventions for depression and related cardiovascular risks.

Area of Science:

  • Cardiology
  • Psychiatry
  • Medical Rehabilitation

Background:

  • Depression is linked to increased cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk.
  • Arterial stiffness, measured by pulse wave velocity (PWV), is elevated in depressed individuals.
  • Limited data exists on PWV changes with multimodal depression treatment.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate changes in PWV in patients with moderate to severe depression before and after multimodal treatment.
  • To compare PWV changes between treatment responders and non-responders.

Main Methods:

  • 47 participants with depression underwent PWV measurements and symptom severity surveys.
  • Measurements were taken before and after a six-week multimodal psychiatric rehabilitation treatment.
  • Participants were categorized as responders or non-responders based on treatment outcomes.

Main Results:

  • A significant decrease in PWV was observed over time in treatment responders.
  • No significant PWV change was found in non-responders.
  • A significant interaction between responder status and time indicated differential PWV changes.

Conclusions:

  • Multimodal treatment can positively modify PWV in depression responders.
  • The observed PWV reduction is likely due to the combined effect of multimodal interventions, not just medication.
  • These findings underscore the clinical value of multimodal treatment for depression and associated cardiovascular conditions.
Abstract

Keywords:
Affective disordersArterial stiffnessCardiovascular diseasesDepressionMultimodal treatmentPulse wave velocity

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