Skip to main page content
U.S. flag

An official website of the United States government

Dot gov

The .gov means it’s official.
Federal government websites often end in .gov or .mil. Before sharing sensitive information, make sure you’re on a federal government site.

Https

The site is secure.
The https:// ensures that you are connecting to the official website and that any information you provide is encrypted and transmitted securely.

Access keys NCBI Homepage MyNCBI Homepage Main Content Main Navigation
. 2023 Mar;22(1):21-23.
doi: 10.5114/pm.2023.126363. Epub 2023 Apr 3.

The relationship between carotid intima-media thickness and cognitive function and depression in postmenopausal women

Sebastián Carranza-Lira  1 , Brenda Leticia Martínez Jimeno  1 , Sergio Rosales Ortiz  1
Affiliations

The relationship between carotid intima-media thickness and cognitive function and depression in postmenopausal women

Sebastián Carranza-Lira et al. Prz Menopauzalny. 2023 Mar.

Abstract

Introduction: Atherosclerosis, cognitive impairment, and depression are common entities in postmenopausal patients. Our aim was to ascertain the relationship between the carotid intima-media thickness (IMT) and cognitive function and depression in postmenopausal women.

Material and methods: This was an observational, cross-sectional, comparative study among postmenopausal women. A carotid artery ultrasound was performed, and the IMT was measured. Mental function was assessed with the mini-mental state examination (MMSE), and the presence of depression with the Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (HDRS). For statistical analysis the Mann-Whitney U test and Spearman correlation were used. Sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, negative predictive value, and odds ratio (OR) were calculated.

Results: Seventy-five patients were studied. The median of age was 52 years (31-76), and the IMT was 1.1 mm (0.6-0.20). The HDRS score was 8.9 (1-21), and that of the MMSE was 29 (18-30). After dividing the group according to the presence or absence of depression, it was found that age and IMT were greater in the group with depression, and the MMSE score was greater in the group without depression. After dividing according to the MMSE score, age and HDRS score were significantly greater in the group with cognitive impairment. The intima-media thickness had an OR of 12.2 (2.6-58.0) for cognitive impairment and an OR of 5.2 (1.9-14.1) for depression.

Conclusions: The intima-media thickness is associated with greater risk of cognitive impairment and depression.

Keywords: Kew words: depression; cognitive status; intima-media thickness.

PubMed Disclaimer

Conflict of interest statement

The authors report no conflict of interest.

References

    1. Freeman EW, Sammel MD, Lin H, Nelson DB. Associations of hormones and menopausal status with depressed mood in women with no history of depression. Arch Gen Psychiatry 2006; 63: 375-382. - PubMed
    1. Carranza-Lira S, Carpio-Barcenas P. Tiempo trascurrido a partir de la menopausia y su repercusión en el deterioro cognitivo. Ginecol Obstet Mex 2018; 86: 289-296.
    1. Weber MT, Rubin LH, Maki PM. Cognition in perimenopause: the effect of transition stage. Menopause 2013; 20: 511-517. - PMC - PubMed
    1. Casas Hernanz L, Maite Garolera D, Bulbena A. Trastorno cognitivo en la estenosis carotidea: evaluation neuropsicologica y efecto del tratamiento quirúrgico. Available from: http://hdl.handle.net/10803/454988.
    1. Everts R, Wapp M, Burren Y, et al. . Cognitive and emotional effects of carotid stenosis. Swiss Med Wkly 2014; 144: 1-8. - PubMed