Depressive symptoms and autonomic nervous system dysfunction in an elderly population-based study: the PROOF study.
BACKGROUND
To assess the relationship between depressive symptoms, evaluated through self-reported history as well as current depressive symptoms, and impaired autonomic nervous system activity, evaluated by long-term heart rate variability and baroreflex sensitivity among elderly community residents, aged 65 years.


METHODS
Subjects from the Proof cohort Study were evaluated for depressive symptoms and self-reported history of depression at inclusion. Autonomic nervous system activity was assessed through 24-h heart rate variability and baroreflex sensitivity. Cross-sectional analyses were performed to study the relationship between the different status of depression and autonomic nervous system activity.


RESULTS
Among the 1011 Proof study participants, 823 subjects were included in the analyses. Current depressive symptoms were present among 67 subjects; history of depression was reported by 228 subjects. Psychoactive drugs were used by 59 subjects. Low frequency (p=0.02), very low frequency (p<0.01) and Low/High frequency ratio (p<0.001) were lower among subjects with depressive symptoms and history of depression, independently of antidepressant treatment. The association remained significant for Low/High frequency ratio after adjustment for gender and physical activity (p=0.004).


CONCLUSIONS
Current depressive symptoms may be linked to autonomic nervous system lower performances. A possible long-term effect of depressive symptoms at middle-age may influence later-life autonomic nervous system activity. Our results highlight the importance of taking into account the depressive symptoms in the cardiovascular risk, even in the elderly.
Research Memory Centre, hôpital des Charpennes, Lyon, France. d_virginie@hotmail.com
Virginie
V
Dauphinot
Isabelle
I
Rouch
Michel P
MP
Kossovsky
Vincent
V
Pichot
Jean-Michel
JM
Dorey
Pierre
P
Krolak-Salmon
Bernard
B
Laurent
Frédéric
F
Roche
Jean-Claude
JC
Barthélémy
D000368:Aged; D000928:Antidepressive Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001341:Autonomic Nervous System / Q000187:drug effects / Q000503:physiopathology*; D017704:Baroreflex / Q000502:physiology*; D002318:Cardiovascular Diseases / Q000503:physiopathology; D002319:Cardiovascular System / Q000503:physiopathology; D015331:Cohort Studies; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D003863:Depression / Q000503:physiopathology* / Q000523:psychology; D059026:Diagnostic Self Evaluation; D005260:Female; D006339:Heart Rate / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D012307:Risk Factors
D000928:Antidepressive Agents