A Systematic Review of the Mortality of Depression
Psychosomatic MedicinePublished 1 January 1999
Lawson R. Wulsin, George E. Vaillant, Victoria Wells
Citations713
SJR quartileQ2
SJR score1.00
SNIP0.84
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TL;DR
The studies linking depression to early death are poorly controlled, but they suggest that depression substantially increases the risk of death, especially death by unnatural causes and cardiovascular disease.
Abstract
The studies linking depression to early death are poorly controlled, but they suggest that depression substantially increases the risk of death, especially death by unnatural causes and cardiovascular disease. Future well-controlled studies of high risk groups may guide efforts to develop treatments that reduce the mortality risk of depression.
Keywords
PsychologySocial SciencesMedicine
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