A study led by researchers from the Autonomous University of Madrid (UAM), Parc Sanitari Sant Joan de Déu, and CIBERSAM has revealed that depression increases the risk of all-cause mortality by 81% and the risk of death from cardiovascular disease by 101%. The research, published in Archives of Public Health, analyzed data from 4,753 Spanish adults followed for over ten years.
Depression is one of the most common mental disorders worldwide, affecting 5.7% of adults according to the WHO. While previous studies had already suggested a link between depression and a higher risk of death, this work delves deeper into the association, considering other influential factors such as physical activity, tobacco consumption, and the presence of chronic diseases.
The study was based on a representative sample of non-institutionalized adults from across Spain, evaluated on several occasions between 2011 and 2022. During the follow-up period, 645 participants passed away, with specific cause of death information obtained for 343 of them. The study identified individuals diagnosed by healthcare professionals as well as those who met depression criteria without a prior diagnosis.
The results confirm that individuals with depression face a considerably higher risk of death. When analyzing specific causes, the association with cardiovascular disease mortality is particularly notable. Factors such as smoking, sedentary lifestyle, and the presence of chronic diseases were also identified as significant risk factors.
The authors emphasize the importance of promoting interventions for depression, not only to alleviate mental suffering but also to improve physical health and reduce mortality risk. "These findings highlight the importance of maintaining healthy lifestyle habits, such as regular physical activity, in people with depression," concludes Marta Miret, a titular professor at UAM and corresponding author of the work.
