Diagnosed Depression Linked to Coronary Artery Calcification

Patients with depression have a higher risk for developing coronary artery calcification (CAC), according to study results published in the Journal of Affective Disorders.

Clinicians should consider screening patients with depression for CAC to identify patients at a higher risk for future cardiovascular diseases.

The researchers performed a systemic search strategy using PubMed, Web of Science, Embase, China National Knowledge Infrastructure, and Cochrane Library to find relevant observational studies that investigated depression and CAC from inception through April 2017. They then used a random effects model to calculate the pooled odds ratios (ORs) with 95% CIs and subgroup analyses.

In 15 studies involving 32,884 participants, the researchers found a positive association between diagnosed depression and CAC (OR, 1.15; 95% CI, 1.04-1.28; I², 80.6%). They also found a non-significant association between depressive symptoms and CAC (OR,1.02; 95% CI, 0.97-1.07; I², 73.5%).

In subgroup analysis, the researchers found that the positive association between diagnosed depression and CAC was strengthened (OR, 2.20; 95% CI, 1.33-3.64; I², 0).

Reference

Lin S, Zhang H, Ma A. The association between depression and coronary artery calcification: a meta-analysis of observational studies. J Affect Disord. 2018; 232:276-282.