(2025). Subclinical Cardiac Dysfunction in Patients with Major Depressive Disorder. The Egyptian Journal of Hospital Medicine, 100(1), 3654-3661. doi: 10.21608/ejhm.2025.447689
. "Subclinical Cardiac Dysfunction in Patients with Major Depressive Disorder". The Egyptian Journal of Hospital Medicine, 100, 1, 2025, 3654-3661. doi: 10.21608/ejhm.2025.447689
(2025). 'Subclinical Cardiac Dysfunction in Patients with Major Depressive Disorder', The Egyptian Journal of Hospital Medicine, 100(1), pp. 3654-3661. doi: 10.21608/ejhm.2025.447689
Subclinical Cardiac Dysfunction in Patients with Major Depressive Disorder. The Egyptian Journal of Hospital Medicine, 2025; 100(1): 3654-3661. doi: 10.21608/ejhm.2025.447689
Subclinical Cardiac Dysfunction in Patients with Major Depressive Disorder
Background: Depression is highly prevalent in cases with cardiovascular diseases (CVD), and prior studies have displayed depression as an independent risk factor for developing CVD. Aim: To evaluate the subclinical cardiac dysfunction in patients with major depressive disorders (MDD). Methods: This observational cross-sectional study included 82 adult patients aged 18–65 years diagnosed with major depressive disorder. Depression severity was assessed using the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI), and patients underwent thorough clinical evaluation, conventional 2D echocardiography, Tissue Doppler Imaging (TDI), and Speckle Tracking Echocardiography (STE) to detect early myocardial dysfunction. Results: Most patients showed moderate to severe depression levels. A significant proportion was on Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors (SSRIs), with some also receiving tricyclic antidepressants, antipsychotics, and anxiolytics. There were significant associations between depression severity and specific echocardiographic parameters, including interventricular septum thickness and e′ lateral velocity, suggesting early diastolic dysfunction. Patients using tricyclic antidepressants and antipsychotics showed statistically significant variations in left ventricular (LV) dimensions and diastolic indices. A significant negative correlation between depression severity and peak A-wave velocity indicated diastolic dysfunction. Conclusion: This study identified subclinical cardiac dysfunction in patients with major depressive disorder, shown by changes in interventricular septum thickness and e′ lateral velocity linked to depression severity. Use of tricyclic antidepressants, anxiolytics, and antipsychotics was associated with distinct cardiac changes.