Low blood pressure and depression in older men: a population based study.
OBJECTIVE
To determine if an association exists between low blood pressure and depressive symptoms in older men living in the community.


METHODS
Cross sectional, population based study.


METHODS
Town of Rancho Bernardo, California, United States.


METHODS
846 men aged 60-89 years. Comparisons between hypotensive, normotensive, and hypertensive groups were limited to 594 men not taking drugs for hypertension.


METHODS
Mean scores on Beck depression inventory and prevalence of scores > or = 13.


RESULTS
Men with diastolic blood pressure < 75 mm Hg had significantly higher depression scores (mean scores 6.35 v 4.96; P < 0.001) and more categorical depression (7.6% v 1.8% with scores > or = 13; P < 0.01) than men with diastolic blood pressure levels between 75 and 85 mm Hg. Men with diastolic blood pressure levels > 85 mm Hg had higher depression scores than men with intermediate blood pressure levels (mean scores 5.85 v 4.96; P < 0.05). Men with diastolic hypotension scored significantly higher on both affective and somatic item subscales of the Beck depression inventory and on individual measures of fatigue, pessimism, sadness, loss of appetite, weight loss, and preoccupation with health. Low diastolic blood pressure was a significant predictor of both mean depression score and prevalence of categorical depression, independent of age and change in weight since the baseline visit. The presence of several chronic diseases was associated with depressed mood and higher blood pressure but not with low blood pressure.


CONCLUSIONS
The association of relatively low diastolic blood pressure with higher depressive symptom scores and rates of categorical depression was independent of age or weight loss. Since fatigue is a prominent symptom of depression, any association of low blood pressure with fatigue could reflect depressive disorders or clinically important depression.
Barrett-Connor
E
E
Department of Family and Preventive Medicine, University of California, San Diego 92093-0607.
Palinkas
L A
LA
D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000959:Antihypertensive Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001794:Blood Pressure; D002140:California / Q000453:epidemiology; D015331:Cohort Studies; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D003863:Depression / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology*; D003971:Diastole; D006801:Humans; D007022:Hypotension / Q000150:complications* / Q000453:epidemiology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D013599:Systole
D000959:Antihypertensive Agents