Blood pressure as a risk factor for depression in elderly people: a prospective study

Abstract

A total of 1070 men and women aged 65 years and over living in the community in Liverpool were interviewed using the Geriatric Mental State. Diagnoses of depression at case and subcase level were made using the GMS-AGECAT package from an initial interview and at follow-up three years later. Data relating to blood pressure at year 0 was available on 748 subjects. Men not taking anti-hypertensives or antidepressants with diastolic blood pressure greater than 85 mmHg were significantly less likely to be subcases than men with low or normal diastolic pressure. People in this group were also significantly less likely to be cases 3 years later. There were no other significant findings. These results do not support an association between low blood pressure and coincidental or future subcase- or case-level depressive illness.

Relationship between blood pressure and depression in the elderly. The Three-City Study

“…Conversely, other studies in broad age range cohorts [6,34,35] and one in elderly individuals [36] failed to exhibit any association between BP and depression or psychological symptoms. Moreover, several studies in younger adults [12][13][14] suggested that psychological disturbances were predictors of incident hypertension and a study in elderly individuals found an association between undetected hypertension and depression [37].…”

Home Blood Pressure Is Associated with Depressive Symptoms in an Elderly Population Aged 70 Years and Over: A Population-Based, Cross-Sectional Analysis

“…Four cross-sectional (12-15) studies and a prospective study (16) showed inverse associations between BP and depressive symptoms. Another prospective study found no association (17). In contrast, three cross-sectional studies found a positive association between hypertension and depression (18)(19)(20).…”

“…However, in epidemiological studies, observations of the relationship between BP and depression have been inconsistent (12)(13)(14)(15)(16)(17)(18)(19)(20). Because the white-coat phenomenon has been observed frequently in all psychological types but especially in types having depressive symptoms (21,22), we have considered that BP measured in nonmedical settings is important in assessing the relationship between BP and depressive symptoms among the geriatric population.…”

Association of low blood pressure with anxiety and depression: the Nord-Trondelag Health Study

“…By contrast, some studies have indicated that low blood pressure is associated with various somatic and psychological symptoms. 5 10-12 Four of six geriatric studies, using standardised screening inventories for depression, found an association between low blood pressure and depression, 6 13-15 one study found no association, 16 whereas a recent study found an association between hypertension and depression. 17 However, the design and findings in some of the studies have been contested.…”