Evaluation of the relationship between 2021 SCORE2 cardiovascular risk score and depression

Cardiovascular diseases are the most common cause of mortality and morbidity in the world and become more common as age increases. The European Society of Cardiology recommends the use of current prediction models, SCORE2 and SCORE2- OP, to assess CVD risk. Depression is the most common psychiatric illness. Diagnosis may be difficult and prognosis may be worse in the elderly. There is a complex relationship between depression and cardiovascular diseases. This study aimed to evaluate the relationship between cardiovascular disease risk and depression in the geriatric population. The study is descriptive in design and was conducted by filling out a face-to-face questionnaire form with participants over the age of 65 who applied to the outpatient clinics Hacettepe University Faculty of Medicine, Department of Family Medicine and Geriatrics between May 01, 2023 and June 01, 2023. The questionnaire form consists of sociodemographic data (13) and Yesavage Geriatric Depression Scale-short form (15 questions). A total of 205 people participated in the study, 63.4% of the participants were women and the average age was 72.75.3. (min=65; max=89) The averages of SBP and DBP were found to be 139.3 and 81.7 mmHg, respectively. When the cholesterol values of the participants in our study were examined, the average TC value was calculated as 152.2 mg/dL, LDL-C 134.9 mg/dL, HDL-C value 59.6 mg/dL, Non-HDL-C 211.8 mg/dL. 7.3% of the participants were active smokers. When cardiovascular risk classification was performed, according to SCORE2, 64.4% of participants aged 65-70 were in the very high cardiovascular risk group, whereas for those aged over 70, according to SCORE2-OP, 84.1% were classified as being in the very high cardiovascular risk group. A significant relationship was found between SCORE2 scores and age and active smoking status. According to the scores they received from the GDS, 16.6% of the participants were at risk of depression. GDS scores were found to be significantly higher in men, those who were non literate, those with chronic diseases, those living in nursing homes and those living alone. According to our study, no significant relationship was found between cardiovascular risk scores and depression in the geriatric population. However, it was determined that the majority of participants had a very high cardiovascular risk. Although blood pressure measurements are within the target range, cholesterol values are seen to be quite high compared to the target. In order to effectively reduce the morbidity and mortality of CVDs, cardiovascular risk assessment must be made and treatment planned according to the risk level. Depression is very common in the elderly and is difficult to diagnose and impairs functionality. Therefore, screening is necessary. More studies are needed to evaluate the relationship between depression and cardiovascular risk level determined using SCORE2 and SCORE2-OP in the geriatric population.