Aim: To compare the conventional risk factors of coronary artery disease in depressed versus non-depressed groups.

Study Design: Cross sectional, comparative study

Place and duration of study: Department of Cardiology, Lady Reading Hospital, Peshawar from 1st October 2018 to 31st October 2019

Methodology: One thousand and twenty eight patients of age 18 years and above and both genders were enrolled. They were divided into group A (depressed) having 634 patients and group B (non-depressed group) 394 patients. Both groups were assessed for the presence of modifiable cardiovascular risk factors.

Results: There were 368 (61.5%) males and 266 (38.5%) were females with mean age was 55.88±11.37 years. In depressed group, 557 (87.8%) patients were living in sedentary life style while in non-depressed group, 327(82.9%) patients were living sedentary life style (p<0.05). Hypertension was present in 69.5% patients in depressed group and 60.1% in non-depressed group (P=0.005). Diabetes (36.7% vs 35.5% P=0.79), smoking (17.5 vs 20.5 P=0.19 and hypercholesterolemia (202.76±58.12 vs 196.51±52.4, P=0.311) were present in depressed versus non depressed patients respectively.

Conclusion: Cardiovascular risk factors including hypertension, physical inactivity and obesity are more common in patients with depression as compared to non-depressed patients while smoking, diabetes and cholesterol are not different between depressed and non-depressed patients

Keywords: Coronary artery disease (CAD), Depression, Risk factors