Jdnttl /JdllIlrl4DNl:'rfu Depressiontied to higherstrokerisk -a-v 5grv-9r-e-lg OMBINING the results of 17 studies on depression and stroke, researchers found

that people who had depression at some point in their lives were about a third more likely to suffer a stroke than those who haven't been depressed. The analysis "seems very convincing," said Maria Glymouq a professorat the Harvard School of Public Health, who was not involved in the srudy. What is not understood, she added,is whetherdepressionis somehow causing the increased risk of stroke, or u'hether the two diseases have the same underlying causes. A previous study by Glymour and her colleagues was included in the latest research, led with people who had not yet by Dr Li-Qiang Qin at Soochow had a stroke, and followed them University in China. for anpvhere from three to 29 Qin's group compiled data years. from l7 studies,totallingmore Two studies reported that than 200,000 participants, that depression was tied to a lower looked at whether people with risk of stroke, and another two depression were more likely to found nearly no difference in suffer a stroke than people who risk betweenthosewith depresdid not have symptoms of the sion and those without. mood disorder. The other 13 studies showed Each of the studies began an increased risk of stroke for people with depression, and when the team combined all 17 studies, they found that the risk of stroke was 34 per cent higher amongthose with depression. Stroke is the third leading cause of death in the United States. Some 800,000 Amertcans

or 26 out of every 10,000 have a stroke each year, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Preven tion. 434 per cent increase in the number of strokes would raise that count to 35 out of every 10,000people. A study earlier this year, which pooled the results of 28 researchprojects on stroke and depression. also found an increased risk of stroke among people with depression. Neither study detergrined il :':1 ;il::,',';:xff ,':;: :l: lates that the association be. tween stroke and depression is likely explained by unhealthy behaviours. .ji. ' r'For' xampld;:weiknow that depressionaffects the behaviour that influencesyour stroke risk, such as diet, physical activity, adherenceto health advice," Glymour said. "Those things take a certain amount of energy, and being depressed might affect your ability to do them." The study authors also note that depression is linked to the development of diabetes and hlpertension, which are also risk factors for stroke. Glymour said it will be important to figure out if treating depression symptoms will lead to a decreased risk of stroke . Reuters Health -