Work

Association between the depression and cardiovascular risk in arthritis patients: a prospective cohort study from the CHARLS database

Year: 2025

Type: article

Abstract: Objective: To investigate the association between depression and cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk in arthritis patients and evaluate the modifying role of systemic inflammation. Methods: Using data from the China Health and Retirement Longitudinal Study (CHARLS), we conducted a prospective cohort analysis of 2,571 arthritis patients without baseline CVD. Depression severity was assessed using the 10-item CES-D scale, with scores ≥12 defining depression. Multivariable logistic regression and restricted cubic spline (RCS) models analyzed dose-response relationships. We utilized C-reactive protein (CRP) to assess whether inflammatory status in arthritis patients modify this relationship. Sensitivity analyses included multiple imputation and complete-case approaches. Results: Each 1-point increase in CES-D score elevated CVD risk by 2.8% (OR=1.028, 95% CI 1.012-1.044). High inflammation amplified CVD risk exclusively in depressed patients (OR=1.52 vs. OR=1.32 in low-inflammation depressed group), with no significant association in non-depressed individuals. Diabetes mellitus synergistically intensified this relationship (OR=2.83 in diabetic vs. OR=1.21 in non-diabetic depressed patients, P = 0.03 for interaction). Results remained robust across sensitivity analyses. Conclusion: Depression linearly increases CVD risk in arthritis patients, with systemic inflammation selectively potentiating this association in depressed individuals. The diabetes-depression-CVD interaction highlights shared pathophysiological pathways. These findings underscore the imperative for integrated clinical strategies targeting both psychological health and inflammatory pathways to reduce cardiovascular morbidity in arthritis populations.

Source: Frontiers in Immunology

DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2025.1590483

Authors: Xiaoyuan Tian, Xianglin Yang, Ying Cao, Zhenan Qu, Bocheng Zhang

Institutions: Dalian Medical University, Second Affiliated Hospital of Dalian Medical University, Dalian University, Affiliated Zhongshan Hospital of Dalian University

Language: English

Topic: Cardiac Health and Mental Health

Subfield: Cardiology and Cardiovascular Medicine

Field: Medicine

Domain: Health Sciences

SDG: Good health and well-being

Open Access status: gold

Estimated APC paid: $3,801