Depression may increase risk of
chronic diseases in women
Women who
experience symptoms
of depression, even
without a clinical diagnosis, are at an increased risk of developing multiple
chronic diseases, according to a study. The study, published in the journal
American Psychological Association Health Psychology, examined 7,407
middle-aged women (45-50 years) for over 20 years. During the study period,
43.2 per cent women experienced elevated symptoms of depression and just under
half the cohort were diagnosed or took treatment for depression. Of the total,
2,035 or 63.6 percent developed multiple
chronic diseases.
“These days
many people suffer from multiple chronic diseases such as diabetes, heart disease, stroke and cancer.
We looked at how women progress in the development of these chronic diseases
before and after the onset of depressive symptoms,” said Xiaolin Xu from the
University of Queensland in Australia. “Experiencing depressive symptoms
appeared to amplify the risk of chronic illness,” Xu said, adding that women
suffering from depression were 1.8 times more likely to have multiple chronic
health conditions.
“After
women started experiencing these symptoms, they were 2.4 times more likely to
suffer from multiple chronic conditions compared to women without depressive
symptoms,” he added. Women with both conditions — depression and chronic
diseases — were more likely to come from low-income households, be overweight
and inactive, smoke tobacco and drink alcohol.
“Maintaining
a healthy weight, exercising regularly, eating a balanced diet, and reducing
harmful behaviours could help prevent and slow the progression of multiple
chronic diseases,” Xu said.
03.06.2019
Some of the greatest victories in
life begin with being faithful in the small things
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