@article {678,
	title = {Inflammation and coagulation factors in persons > 65 years of age with symptoms of depression but without evidence of myocardial ischemia.},
	journal = {Am J Cardiol},
	volume = {89},
	year = {2002},
	month = {2002 Feb 15},
	pages = {419-24},
	abstract = {<p>Depression is associated with increased cardiovascular disease, but the underlying mechanisms are not well understood. This study examines associations of depressive symptoms with inflammation and coagulation factors in persons aged > 65 years. Blood samples were obtained from 4,268 subjects free of cardiovascular disease (age 72.4 +/- 5.5 years, 2,623 women). Inflammation markers were C-reactive protein (CRP), white blood cell (WBC) count, total platelet count, and albumin; coagulation factors included factors VIIc and VIIIc and fibrinogen. Depression was assessed with the Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression scale, and states of energy depletion with a validated exhaustion index. Statistical adjustments were made for risk factors (age, sex, race, systolic blood pressure, smoking status, diabetes mellitus) and physical measures of frailty (isometric handgrip, timed 15-feet walk test, activity level). Depression was associated with elevated CRP (3.31 +/- 0.10 vs 3.51 +/- 0.21 mg/L), WBC (6.14 +/- 0.03 vs 6.43 +/- 0.11 10(6)/L), fibrinogen (319 +/- 1 vs 326 +/- 3 mg/dl), and factor VIIc (124.6 +/- 0.6\% vs 127.2 +/- 1.3\%; all p <0.05). Exhaustion also was related to elevated inflammation and coagulation markers (p < 0.05). Exhausted men had markedly elevated CRP levels (6.82 +/- 2.10 mg/L) versus nonexhausted men (3.05 +/- 0.16: p = 0.007). After adjustment for control variables, exhaustion remained associated with albumin (p = 0.033), fibrinogen (p = 0.017), CRP (p = 0.066), and WBC (p = 0.060), whereas associations of depressive symptoms with biochemistry measures lost statistical significance. Thus, depression and exhaustion are associated with low-grade inflammation and elevated coagulation factors in persons aged > 65 years.</p>},
	keywords = {Aged, Blood Chemical Analysis, Blood Coagulation Factors, Cardiovascular Diseases, Depression, Female, Humans, Inflammation, Male, Risk Factors},
	issn = {0002-9149},
	doi = {10.1016/s0002-9149(01)02264-0},
	author = {Kop, Willem J and Gottdiener, John S and Tangen, Catherine M and Fried, Linda P and McBurnie, Mary Ann and Walston, Jeremy and Newman, Anne and Hirsch, Calvin and Tracy, Russell P}
}
