The relationship between depression and ischemic heart disease among middle aged people: a case control study

Background and Objective: Depression is one of the most common psychological problems, which can elevate the risks of cardiovascular complications. This study was performed with the aim of retrospectively reviewing the relationship between these two illnesses in middle-aged people. Materials and Methods: In this case control study, 200 patients were randomly chosen as the case group from among patients whose diagnosis of ischemic heart disease (IHD) was confirmed by angiography, women younger than 55 and men younger than 45, and another 200 patients without IHD were chosen as control subjects. In order to assess the patients’ depression, Beck’s Depression Questionnaire was used in both groups. Data was analyzed using SPSS v.16 software . Results: Results of the Beck’s Questionnaire taken from both groups showed a mean score of 13.9±8.48 in the case group and 10±5.93 in the control group (p<0.001). Moreover, the difference between the two groups pertaining to the severity of depression was also found to be statistically significant (p<0.001). Also, more women were found to be clinically depressed compared to men (p<0.001). Conclusion: Depression is considered an independent risk factor for the development of IHD, moreover, based on the previous studies conducted, risk of developing IHD are higher among those already affected by depression and in middle-aged people which needs further analyses and studies to be conducted in order to better understand this relationship and to better develop treatment strategies.