Depression and mortality in a high-risk population

Abstract

BackgroundIt is not clear whether the increased mortality associated with depression can be explained by the effects of potential confounding variables.AimsTo measure the effect of depression on mortality after controlling for cognitive decline, cardiovascular risk factors and antidepressant use.MethodA prospective cohort study derived from data from a multi-centre randomised controlled trial of moderate hypertension. Atotal of2584 participants, aged 65–75 years at study entry, were followed up for 11 years.ResultsDepression on the SelfCARE-D scale was associated with mortality after controlling for gender. After controling for cardiovascular risk factors, cognitive decline and anti-depressant use, depression continued to have a modest effect (hazard ratio⩵l.43; 95% CI 1.03–1.98). Depression in males and in people aged under 70 years significantly increased the risk of death.ConclusionsDepression was associated with mortality only after controlling for gender. There was a modest but robust association between depression and mortality that was not explained by confounding by cardiovascular risk factors, cognitive decline or history of antidepressant use.