Depressed Mood and Flow-Mediated Dilation

Abstract

Objective This systematic and quantitative review evaluates the literature on associations between depressed mood and flow-mediated dilation (FMD), a measure of endothelial function, in adults. Methods Published English-language articles (through December 2010) were identified from literature searches, assessed for data extraction, and evaluated for quality. Results The literature includes cross-sectional (n = 9) and retrospective examinations (n = 3) of how FMD correlates with clinical or subclinical depression in healthy adults and cardiovascular patients (total N across 12 studies = 1491). FMD was assessed using a variety of methodologies. Samples were predominately older white and Asian subjects with higher socioeconomic status. In eight of the 12 articles selected for this review, at least one significant inverse association was noted between depressed mood and FMD, with primarily moderate effect sizes. The overall meta-analysis (random-effects model) revealed a combined effect size of correlation coefficient r = 0.19 (95% confidence interval = 0.08–0.29, p = .001). Significant combined effects were found for subgroups of studies that a) received better quality ratings (r = 0.29), b) examined patients with cardiovascular disease or with cardiovascular disease risk factors/comorbidity (r = 0.29), c) used maximum vasodilation to quantify FMD (r = 0.27), and d) assessed samples that had a mean age of 55 years and older (r = 0.15). Conclusions Diverse studies support the inverse correlation between depressed mood and endothelial function, as measured by FMD. This literature would be strengthened by prospective studies, increased methodological consistency in FMD testing, and broader sampling (e.g., African Americans, younger age, lower socioeconomic status).

Arginine and Asymmetric Dimethylarginine in Pregnant Women With Major Depression

“…(6) Patients with depression evidence impaired flow-mediated vasodilation, directly demonstrating impaired vascular function and a link to increased risk of future cardiovascular disease. (7) Together, these results suggest that vascular dysfunction may be an important underlying aspect of depression.…”

Associations Between Depression and Anxiety Symptoms and Retinal Vessel Caliber in Adolescents and Young Adults

“…Wider retinal arteriolar caliber is a sign of impaired autoregulation (57) and has been shown to be associated with reduced flicker-induced vasodilation (58). Notably, endothelial dysfunction is seen in individuals with depression and anxiety (5, 56, 59). For example, a meta-analysis reported a statistically significant overall correlation of 0.19 between depressed mood and reduced flow-mediated dilation in adults (59).…”

“…Notably, endothelial dysfunction is seen in individuals with depression and anxiety (5, 56, 59). For example, a meta-analysis reported a statistically significant overall correlation of 0.19 between depressed mood and reduced flow-mediated dilation in adults (59). Recent studies of children and adolescents have also shown an association between depression and anxiety and impaired endothelial function assessed using the EndoPAT device (54–56).…”

Is there any association of personality traits with vascular endothelial function or systemic inflammation?

“…[1516] According to a new meta-analysis, including studies on healthy subjects and also patients with CVD, mood disorders have been associated with endothelial dysfunction measured by FMD (an early marker of CVD)[17] Also, using antidepressant medication in patients with CVD who were depressed was associated with improved FMD[1819] However, the responsible mechanisms for this association are not clear yet. [15] The effects of psychological factors on the immune system have been considered and reviewed for long.…”