Association between depression and vascular aging: a comprehensive analysis of predictive value and mortality risks

Area of Science:

• Cardiovascular Health
• Mental Health
• Aging Research

Background:

• Depression is a growing global health issue with links to vascular disease.
• The impact of depression on vascular aging remains unclear.
• This study investigates the reciprocal relationship between vascular age and depression.

Purpose of the Study:

• To examine the association between vascular age and depression.
• To determine if depression influences vascular aging.
• To explore the mortality risk associated with vascular age in depressed individuals.

Main Methods:

• Analysis of 27,764 participants from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES).
• Assessment of depression using the Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9).
• Evaluation of vascular aging via estimated pulse wave velocity (ePWV) and heart/vascular age (HVA).
• Application of logistic regression, Cox proportional hazards models, and Mendelian randomization.

Main Results:

• Depression is associated with advanced vascular age.
• Mendelian randomization suggests a causal link between depression and arterial stiffness.
• Higher vascular age correlates with increased depression incidence (ORs 1.10-1.38).
• Mortality risk escalates with increasing vascular age in depressed individuals (22%-46% increase).

Conclusions:

• A bidirectional relationship exists between depression and vascular age.
• Vascular age serves as a biomarker for depression risk and prognosis.
• Depression may accelerate vascular aging, necessitating integrated management strategies.