Depressive symptoms and autonomic nervous system dysfunction in an elderly population-based study: The PROOF study

Background ess the relationship between depressive symptoms, evaluated through self-reported history as well as current depressive symptoms, and impaired autonomic nervous system activity, evaluated by long-term heart rate variability and baroreflex sensitivity among elderly community residents, aged 65 years. s ts from the Proof cohort Study were evaluated for depressive symptoms and self-reported history of depression at inclusion. Autonomic nervous system activity was assessed through 24-h heart rate variability and baroreflex sensitivity. Cross-sectional analyses were performed to study the relationship between the different status of depression and autonomic nervous system activity. s the 1011 Proof study participants, 823 subjects were included in the analyses. Current depressive symptoms were present among 67 subjects; history of depression was reported by 228 subjects. Psychoactive drugs were used by 59 subjects. Low frequency (p=0.02), very low frequency (p<0.01) and Low/High frequency ratio (p<0.001) were lower among subjects with depressive symptoms and history of depression, independently of antidepressant treatment. The association remained significant for Low/High frequency ratio after adjustment for gender and physical activity (p=0.004). sion t depressive symptoms may be linked to autonomic nervous system lower performances. A possible long-term effect of depressive symptoms at middle-age may influence later-life autonomic nervous system activity. Our results highlight the importance of taking into account the depressive symptoms in the cardiovascular risk, even in the elderly.