Association between depression and stroke and the role of sociodemographic factors: A study among hypertensive populations

Abstract

ObjectivesStudies have shown that depression increases the risk of stroke, and that this relationship can be modified by sex. However, few studies have explored this relationship in a hypertensive population, and an examination of sociodemographic factors may be useful in determining whether depression and stroke are related. Materials and MethodsWe used data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey conducted between 2005–2018. The relationship between depression and stroke was investigated using a multivariate logistic regression. Effect modification by sex was examined using an interaction analysis model. ResultsParticipants with mild or moderate depression had a 53 % (odds ratio, [OR] 1.53; 95 % confidence interval [CI], 1.15–2.04) higher risk of stroke than those without depression, with 1.76 times (95 % CI, 1.14–2.72) greater risk for major depression. Interaction analysis indicated that sex had no effect on this relationship (OR, 1.30; 95 % CI, 0.85–1.47, P=0.430). In comparison with Hispanics, non-Hispanic blacks and others/mixed-race individuals with depression had a greater risk of stroke (OR, 2.26; 95 % CI, 1.5–3.14; OR, 2.67, 95 % CI, 1.29–5.55). ConclusionsOur study found that the degree of depression was positively correlated with stroke in a hypertensive population, and that this relationship was not affected by sex.