Association of depression with hypertensive left ventricular hypertrophy in age, sex, and education level-specific differences.

Abstract

Previous studies have shown that hypertension and depression are associated with worse cardiovascular outcomes and reduced quality of life. Left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH) is strongly linked to increased mortality and cardiovascular disease, and depression may be one of the key factors contributing to hypertensive LVH. The authors consecutively enrolled 353 patients with uncomplicated hypertension between November 2017 and May 2021. All participants completed the Hamilton Depression Scale (HAM-D) to assess their depression status, with depression defined as a HAM-D score of 20 or higher. Linear regression analysis revealed a positive association between HAM-D and LVMI (adjusted β, 1.51, 95% CI, 1.19-1.83, p<.001). Logistic regression models showed that individuals with hypertension and depression had a higher risk of LVH than those with hypertension alone (adjusted OR, 2.51, 95% CI, 1.14-5.52, p=.022). The association between depression and LVH significantly interacted with age, sex, education levels, but not BMI and household income. Following age, sex, and education levels stratification, an independent association of depression and LVH was observed only in age<60 years (age<60 years: OR, 7.36, 95% CI, 2.25-24.13, p<.001), male (male: OR, 16.16, 95% CI, 3.80-68.73, p<.001), and higher education levels (high school and above: OR, 11.09, 95% CI, 2.91-42.22, p<.001). Our findings suggest that depression is a significant risk factor for LVH in hypertensive patients, particularly in those who are under 60 years of age, male, and have higher education levels.