Aspirin and statin use and the subsequent development of depression in men and women: Results from a longitudinal population-based study

• Regular aspirin or statin use did not reduce the incidence of depression.
• Incidence of depression was defined over a period longer than 5 years.
• The results did not vary according to age or gender.
• Analyses were adjusted for a comprehensive array of potential confounders.

ObjectiveLow-grade chronic inflammation is one potential mechanism underlying the well-established association between major depressive disorder (MDD) and increased cardiovascular morbidity. Both aspirin and statins have anti-inflammatory properties, which may contribute to their preventive effect on cardiovascular diseases. Previous studies on the potentially preventive effect of these drugs on depression have provided inconsistent results. The aim of the present paper was to assess the prospective association between regular aspirin or statin use and the incidence of MDD.MethodThis prospective cohort study included 1631 subjects (43.6% women, mean age 51.7 years), randomly selected from the general population of an urban area. Subjects underwent a thorough physical evaluation as well as semi-structured interviews investigating DSM-IV mental disorders at baseline and follow-up (mean duration 5.2 years). Analyses were adjusted for a wide array of potential confounders.ResultsOur main finding was that regular aspirin or statin use at baseline did not reduce the incidence of MDD during follow-up, regardless of sex or age (hazard ratios, aspirin: 1.19; 95%CI, 0.68–2.08; and statins: 1.25; 95%CI, 0.73–2.14; respectively).LimitationsOur study is not a randomized clinical trial and could not adjust for all potential confounding factors, information on aspirin or statin use was collected only for the 6 months prior to the evaluations, and the sample was restricted to subjects between 35 and 66 years of age.ConclusionOur data do not support a large scale preventive treatment of depression using aspirin or statins in subjects aged from 35 to 66 years from the community.