TY - JOUR T1 - Inflammation and coagulation factors in persons > 65 years of age with symptoms of depression but without evidence of myocardial ischemia. JF - Am J Cardiol Y1 - 2002 A1 - Kop, Willem J A1 - Gottdiener, John S A1 - Tangen, Catherine M A1 - Fried, Linda P A1 - McBurnie, Mary Ann A1 - Walston, Jeremy A1 - Newman, Anne A1 - Hirsch, Calvin A1 - Tracy, Russell P KW - Aged KW - Blood Chemical Analysis KW - Blood Coagulation Factors KW - Cardiovascular Diseases KW - Depression KW - Female KW - Humans KW - Inflammation KW - Male KW - Risk Factors AB -

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.

VL - 89 IS - 4 U1 - https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/11835923?dopt=Abstract ER -