Depression treatment selectively modifies arterial stiffness in older participants

Abstract

Background.Depression is emerging as an independent cardiovascular disease risk factor. We investigated whether treating depression in older participants impacted on arterial stiffness, a known cardiovascular disease risk factor and a clinical marker of arterial aging.Methods.Seventy-five participants with pulse wave velocity (PWV), the gold standard measure for arterial stiffness, at baseline and at 12-month follow-up were included. Depressed patients were randomized to escitalopram (10mg/d) or to duloxetine (60mg/d). In patients without depression, no antidepressant therapy was started. The psychologist and the doctor measuring PWV were both unaware of antidepressant treatment.Results.At study entry, no difference in PWV were observable in the three groups of participants. A significant time × drug interaction term (p