Mental vulnerability--a risk factor for ischemic heart disease.

Lene Falgaard Eplov, Torben Jørgensen, Morten Birket-Smith, Janne Petersen, Christoffer Johansen, Erik Lykke Mortensen

12 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study is to examine whether mental vulnerability is a risk factor for the development of ischemic heart disease (IHD) after adjustment for well-established risk factors. METHODS: In three prospective cohort studies in Copenhagen County, Denmark, we recorded the level of mental vulnerability and possible risk factors to IHD at baseline. For follow-up, the sample was linked to relevant registries to identify all cases of fatal and nonfatal IHD. The relationship between mental vulnerability and IHD was examined using both Kaplan-Meir and Cox proportional hazard models adjusting for possible confounding factors. RESULTS: Mental vulnerability was significantly associated with the risk for IHD (medium mental vulnerability: hazard ratio 1.41, 95% confidence interval 1.04-1.91; and high mental vulnerability: hazard ratio 2.05; 95% confidence interval 1.46-2.88), after adjusting for confounders. CONCLUSION: Our results imply that mental vulnerability is an independent risk factor for IHD.
Udgivelsesdato: 2006-Feb
Original languageEnglish
JournalJournal of Psychosomatic Research
Volume60
Issue number2
Pages (from-to)169-76
Number of pages7
ISSN0022-3999
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 2006

Keywords

  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Cause of Death
  • Cohort Studies
  • Comorbidity
  • Denmark
  • Female
  • Follow-Up Studies
  • Health Surveys
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Myocardial Ischemia
  • Personality Inventory
  • Proportional Hazards Models
  • Psychophysiologic Disorders
  • Referral and Consultation
  • Risk Factors
  • Vulnerable Populations

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