Severity of Depression and Anxiety Symptoms is Associated with Increased Arterial Stiffness in Depressive Disorder Patients Undergoing Psychiatric Treatment

ABSTRACTObjective: Depression and anxiety are associated with both subclinical and clinical cardiovascular disease. Endothelial dysfunction, atherosclerosis, and inflammation are some of the underlying mechanisms. Pulse wave velocity (PWV) and augmentation index (AIx) are noninvasive markers for evaluation of arterial stiffness. The aim of this study was to examine the association between arterial stiffness parameters and depression/anxiety scores in depressive patients undergoing psychiatric treatment.Methods: The study population consisted of 30 patients with depression undergoing psychiatric treatment at least 4 weeks, and 25 age and gender matched healthy controls. Depression and anxiety were assessed by self-reported scales, including the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI) and Beck Anxiety Inventory (BAI). Measurements of arterial stiffness parameters were performed by using a Mobil-O-Graph arteriograph system, which detects signals from the brachial artery.Results: Baseline characteristics and clinical...