Sex Differences in the Association of Depression Symptoms and Cardiovascular Disease in Adults in the United States.

PURPOSE: This study explores the relationship between depression and cardiovascular disease (CVD) in the US adult population, focusing on sex differences. DESIGN: Cross-sectional study. SETTING: National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey data (2013-2018). PARTICIPANTS: A total of 14 699 community-dwelling adults (≥20 years). MEASURE: The Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9) depression screening tool assessed depressive symptoms. CVD events included heart failure, coronary heart disease, angina, heart attack, or stroke. ANALYSIS: Adjusted prevalence ratios were estimated using a Poisson regression model. RESULTS: The study finds a positive association between CVD incidents and both mild to moderate depressive symptoms (aPR:1.42, P = .002) and moderately severe to severe depression (aPR:1.72, P = .024). Overall, females exhibit a 47% lower likelihood of CVD incidents compared to males. However, in a subgroup analysis, increased depressive symptoms correlate with higher CVD incidents in females (aPRs range: 2.09 to 3.43, P < .001) compared to males (aPRs range: 1.45 to 1.77, P < .001). CONCLUSION: Depression is associated with increased cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk. Females generally have a lower CVD risk than males, but more severe depressive symptoms elevate CVD risk in females. These findings emphasize the significance of considering sex differences. Further research is needed to understand the underlying mechanisms.

Obstructive Sleep Apnea and Its Cardiac Implications in the United States: An Age-Stratified Analysis Between Young and Older Adults.

BACKGROUND: Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is a common sleep disorder associated with cardiovascular risks. This study aimed to assess the prevalence of probable OSA and its relationship with cardiovascular risks and diseases focusing on age-stratified young adults (20-40 years) and older (>40 years). METHODS AND RESULTS: The study used a cross-sectional design, analyzing data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey conducted between 2013 and 2018, comprising 9887 community-dwelling adults aged ≥20 years. Probable OSA was determined on the basis of self-report of OSA-related symptoms (eg, snoring, gasping/breath cessation while sleeping). Cardiovascular risk factors, including hypertension, diabetes, hyperlipidemia, and metabolic syndrome, were evaluated according to established guidelines. Cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) included self-reported heart conditions, including congestive heart failure, coronary heart disease, angina, heart attacks, and strokes. Individuals with probable OSA showed a significantly higher prevalence of health conditions, including hypertension (adjusted prevalence ratio [aPR], 1.19; P<0.001), diabetes (aPR, 1.17; P: 0.01), metabolic syndrome (aPR, 1.14; P<0.001), heart attack (aPR, 1.63; P<0.01), stroke (aPR, 1.41; P: 0.03), and any CVD event (aPR, 1.36; P: 0.01) after adjusting for relevant factors. Young adults with probable OSA showed higher prevalence rates of any CVD events (aPR, 3.44; P<0.001), hypertension (aPR, 1.45; P<0.001), metabolic syndrome (aPR, 1.25; P<0.001), and angina (aPR, 10.39; P<0.001). CONCLUSIONS: The study suggests early identification and management of OSA in individuals at risk for CVD. While cross-sectional, it emphasizes that health care providers should recognize OSA as significantly associated with CVDs and its precursor risks in young adults, stressing proactive care and screening to reduce CVD risk in this population.

New-onset depression following stable, slow, and rapid rate of prescription opioid dose escalation.

Recent studies suggest that longer durations of opioid use, independent of maximum morphine equivalent dose (MED) achieved, is associated with increased risk of new-onset depression (NOD). Conversely, other studies, not accounting for duration, found that higher MED increased probability of depressive symptoms. To determine whether rate of MED increase is associated with NOD, a retrospective cohort analysis of Veterans Health Administration data (2000-2012) was conducted. Eligible patients were new, chronic (>90 days) opioid users, aged 18 to 80, and without depression diagnoses for 2 years before start of follow-up (n = 7051). Mixed regression models of MED across follow-up defined 4 rate of dose change categories: stable, decrease, slow increase, and rapid increase. Cox proportional hazard models assessed the relationship of rate of dose change and NOD, controlling for pain, duration of use, maximum MED, and other confounders using inverse probability of treatment-weighted propensity scores. Incidence rate for NOD was 14.1/1000PY (person-years) in stable rate, 13.0/1000PY in decreasing, 19.3/1000PY in slow increasing, and 27.5/1000PY in rapid increasing dose. Compared with stable rate, risk of NOD increased incrementally for slow (hazard ratio = 1.22; 95% confidence interval: 1.05-1.42) and rapid (hazard ratio = 1.58; 95% confidence interval: 1.30-1.93) rate of dose increase. Faster rates of MED escalation contribute to NOD, independent of maximum dose, pain, and total opioid duration. Dose escalation may be a proxy for loss of control or undetected abuse known to be associated with depression. Clinicians should avoid rapid dose increase when possible and discuss risk of depression with patients if dose increase is warranted for pain.