Depression and Atherosclerotic Cardiovascular Disease (ASCVD) Risk Estimator in Women

Abstract

Introduction: Cardiovascular disease remains a major cause of morbidity and premature mortality worldwide. The aim of the present study was to investigate the association of atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD) risk estimator with depression in women undergoing cardiological evaluation.

Material and method: Three hundred women undergoing cardiological evaluation completed the Zung Self-Rating Depression Scale (ZSDS) questionnaire which included women's characteristics.

Results: A percentage of 57.4% of our participants exhibited ASCVD risk <5%; while the 18.3% had ASCVD risk between 5% and 7.4%, the 18.3% between 7.5% and 20%, and the remaining 6% > 20%. In terms of depression, 50% of the women had a score of less than 38 (median), according to Zung scale and mean score was 38.4. In addition, 25% of women had a score below 32. These scores indicate low levels of depression in women. Statistically significant higher rates of depression were found in women who were not involved with physical activities (p = 0.030).

Conclusions: The negative impact of depression on the ASCVD risk could potentially be prevented by modifying individuals' behavior with regard to their engagement in physical activity.

Keywords: ASCVD risk; Atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease; Depression; Outpatient clinic.