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Differences in heart rate variability between depressed and non‐depressed elderly
Author(s) -
van der Kooy Koen G.,
van Hout Hein P. J.,
van Marwijk Harm W. J.,
de Haan Marten,
Stehouwer Coen D. A.,
Beekman Aartjan T. F.
Publication year - 2006
Publication title -
international journal of geriatric psychiatry
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.28
H-Index - 129
eISSN - 1099-1166
pISSN - 0885-6230
DOI - 10.1002/gps.1439
Subject(s) - heart rate variability , major depressive disorder , depression (economics) , supine position , multivariate analysis , medicine , risk factor , cardiology , psychology , heart rate , psychiatry , blood pressure , amygdala , economics , macroeconomics
Objective To determine whether older primary care patients with a Major Depressive Disorder (MDD) have lower heart rate variability (HRV) compared to non‐depressed patients. HRV is a measure of cardiac autonomic functioning. Method A cross‐sectional comparison of 136 elderly persons with MDD and 136 non‐depressed controls (matched for age and gender) recruited in family practices in the Netherlands. Depression was determined according to the DSM–IV criteria using the PRIME–MD. HRV was measured with an electrocardiogram (ECG) during a 5‐minute supine rest. Results Multivariate analyses showed statistically significant decrease in HRV in MDD patients compared with controls. Conclusion Older primary care patients with MDD have a reduced HRV. This may explain why depression is a risk factor for cardiovascular disease and mortality. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.