Arch Intern Med
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Although depression is a well-documented risk factor for clinical heart disease, its association with subclinical atherosclerosis is unclear. We hypothesized that middle-aged women with a history of recurrent major depression would show evidence of atherosclerosis. ⋯ In this sample of asymptomatic middle-aged women without known coronary disease, recurrent major depression was independently associated with coronary and aortic calcification. Waist-hip ratio in part mediated the association. Our findings suggest that recurrent major depression may be a risk factor for early atherosclerosis in women.
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Restless legs syndrome (RLS), a common sensorimotor disorder, has a wide range of severity from merely annoying to affecting sleep and quality of life severely enough to warrant medical treatment. Previous epidemiological studies, however, have failed to determine the prevalence of those with clinically significant RLS symptoms and to examine the life effects and medical experiences of this group. ⋯ Clinically significant RLS is common (prevalence, 2.7%), is underdiagnosed, and significantly affects sleep and quality of life.