Objective

To assess subtypes of depressive symptoms and their relationship with cardiovascular disease (CVD) morbidity among CVD risk persons.

Methods

A prospective study of 2522 CVD risk persons was conducted. Non-melancholic and melancholic depressive symptoms were assessed by Beck's Depression Inventory. Data on incident CVD was gathered from a national register, after 8 years of follow-up.

Results

At baseline, the prevalence of non-melancholic and melancholic depressive symptoms was 14.9% and 5.2%, respectively. A total of 18,413 person-years was followed up, and the incidence of CVD was 9.6% in non-depressive, 14.1% in non-melancholically depressive, and 13.0% in melancholically depressive subjects. When adjusted for age, gender, education, smoking, alcohol use, leisure-time physical activity, hypertension, and dyslipidemia, the incidence rate ratios (IRR) for CVD in subjects with non-melancholic and melancholic depressive symptoms compared to non-depressiveness were IRR 1.69 (95% CI: 1.23–2.31) and IRR 1.31 (95% CI: 0.75–2.26).

Conclusion

Non-melancholic depressive symptoms seem to increase risk for incident CVD among CVD risk subjects. Considering non-melancholic depressive symptoms might be useful when treating subjects with other CVD risk factors.