Depression and heart disease in US adults

Abstract Objective Major depressive disorder (MDD) with atypical features is characterized by mood reactivity, increased appetite/weight gain and hypersomnia. Since these characteristics may be associated with obesity and diabetes, we examined whether individuals with MDD with atypical features (MDD-AD) are more likely to exhibit cardiovascular disease than those with MDD without atypical features (MDD-NAD). Methods Participants in the National Epidemiologic Survey on Alcohol and Related Conditions, a nationally representative sample of noninstitutionalized US adults, were categorized as having no lifetime depression diagnosis ( n =34,979), MDD-NAD ( n =4632) and MDD-AD ( n =1063) and reported physician-confirmed specific cardiovascular diagnoses in the previous year. Results Compared to individuals without depression, those with MDD had a 50% increased odds of any cardiovascular diagnosis ( P