Depressive symptoms contribute to increased response during cold pressor test in young adult persons

Abstract

Background: The relationship between depression and disturbance of autonomic regulation has been recognized for a long time. Major depressive disorder (MDD) is associated with increased cardiovascular (CV) risk. Temperature and other environmental stressors are known to affect blood pressure and heart rate. The cold pressor test (CPT) is used clinically to evaluate the dysregulation of CV autonomic functions. Aims and Objective: The aim of our study is to examine the autonomic function in patients of major depression by comparing their autonomic function with those of healthy subjects. Materials and Methods: The study conducted on 36 fresh untreated, clinically diagnosed for MDD having no other disease and control group consisting of 36 persons having no psychiatric illness. Results: BP responses to CPT, in depressed and control were compared. The mean rise in diastolic BP after CPT in depressed (98 ± 16.135) was found to be statistically significant compared to controls (90 ± 8.2). Conclusion: Our results indicate that depressive symptoms in individuals without MDD may be associated with cardiac hyperactivity during SNS stimulation, contributing to increased diastolic BP. These findings may have clinical implications for the evaluation of depressive symptoms in healthy, young adult men.