Do Depressive Symptoms Increase the Risk for the Onset of Coronary Disease? A Systematic Quantitative Review

Abstract

This quantitative review suggests that depressive symptoms contribute a significant independent risk for the onset of coronary disease, a risk (1.64) that is greater than the risk conferred by passive smoking (1.25) but less than the risk conferred by active smoking (2.5). Future prospective community studies should examine the effect of severity and duration of depressive symptoms and disorders on the risk for the onset of coronary disease.