Cerebrovascular risk factors and 1-year depression outcome in older primary care patients.
OBJECTIVE
A model in which cerebrovascular disease contributes to the pathogenesis of depression in later life was the basis of the authors' hypothesis that cerebrovascular risk factors at intake are independently associated with depression at 1-year follow-up.


METHODS
The subjects were 247 patients aged 60 years or older in primary care practices. The study measures were completed at intake and 1-year follow-up. Multiple regression techniques were used to determine the independent association of initial cerebrovascular risk factors with depressive symptoms and diagnoses at 1 year.


RESULTS
The authors found that the severity of initial cumulative cerebrovascular risk factors was significantly independently associated with 1-year depressive symptoms and diagnoses, but not after also controlling for overall medical burden.


CONCLUSIONS
The results lend some support to the cerebrovascular model of depression.
Lyness
J M
JM
Department of Psychiatry, University of Rochester Medical Center, Rochester, NY 14642, USA. jeffrey_lyness@urmc.rochester.edu
King
D A
DA
Conwell
Y
Y
Cox
C
C
Caine
E D
ED
D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D002561:Cerebrovascular Disorders / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000453:epidemiology*; D003866:Depressive Disorder / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000209:etiology; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011320:Primary Health Care / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D011569:Psychiatric Status Rating Scales / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D012044:Regression Analysis; D012307:Risk Factors; D012720:Severity of Illness Index