Older people with hardening of the arteries or other vascular diseases are prone to develop depression, according to a report presented here at the meeting of the American Geriatric Society.

Among 2113 elderly subjects, those with evidence of atherosclerosis or risk factors for vascular disease had a "50 percent to 90 percent increased risk for incident depression after 3 years," Dr. Benjamin Mast, of the University of Louisville, Kentucky, told attendees.

"These findings do suggest that vascular diseases increase the risk for depression in well-functioning, non-depressed elders. In terms of clinical implications and vascular disease, patients may need close monitoring for depression," he added.

The subjects were enrolled in the National Institute of Aging's multicenter Health, Aging and Body Composition Study (Health ABC), which is an ongoing study designed to assess factors that contribute to disability in the elderly. The subjects were between the ages of 70 and 79 and had no evidence of depression at enrollment.

All participants underwent physicals including assessment for cardiovascular risk factors, history of atherosclerosis, diabetes, peripheral vascular disease and metabolic syndrome.

After 3 years, the likelihood of developing depression was 91 percent greater for those with diabetes, 81 percent greater with blockage of the leg arteries, and 76 percent higher for people with heart-related chest pain, compared with participants without these conditions.

However, osteoarthritis, cancer or osteoporosis were not associated with increased risk of depression. An exception was chronic pulmonary disease, which was linked with an 83 percent greater likelihood of depression.