ASSOCIATION BETWEEN DEPRESSION DISORDER AND INCIDENTAL HYPERTENSION IN COVID 19 POSITIVE PATIENTS

Abstract

Objective: Although the association between depression disorder and cardiovascular diseases has been well recognized. but an effect of depression for incident hypertension are scarce. Design and method: 300 men and 390 women aged over 40 without hypertension or cardiovascular diseases. Depressive disorder was assessed using Beck’s depression inventory (BDI) ranged 0 to 63 and was considered if BDI score over 16. Hypertension was defined as SBP over 140 and/or DBP over 90 mmHg or the use of antihypertensive medication. We calculated incidence rates (IRs) per 100 person-year for incident hypertension were calculated and incidence rate ratios (IRRs) and its 95% CIs. Results: COVID 19 positive patients with depressive symptoms had a significantly higher incidence of hypertension in women compared to men with depressive symptoms. In the logistic regression analysis, the presence of depressive symptom was significantly associated with incident hypertension with COVID 19 positive independently of age, body mass index, education level, and current smoking and drinking status. Conclusions: COVID 19 positive patients with Depressive symptoms were highly associated with the incidence of hypertension among middle aged women.