The association of white matter connectivity with prevalence, incidence and course of depressive symptoms: The Maastricht Study.

BACKGROUND: Altered white matter brain connectivity has been linked to depression. The aim of this study was to investigate the association of markers of white matter connectivity with prevalence, incidence and course of depressive symptoms. METHODS: Markers of white matter connectivity (node degree, clustering coefficient, local efficiency, characteristic path length, and global efficiency) were assessed at baseline by 3 T MRI in the population-based Maastricht Study (n = 4866; mean ± standard deviation age 59.6 ± 8.5 years, 49.0% women; 17 406 person-years of follow-up). Depressive symptoms (9-item Patient Health Questionnaire; PHQ-9) were assessed at baseline and annually over seven years of follow-up. Major depressive disorder (MDD) was assessed with the Mini-International Neuropsychiatric Interview at baseline only. We used negative binominal, logistic and Cox regression analyses, and adjusted for demographic, cardiovascular, and lifestyle risk factors. RESULTS: A lower global average node degree at baseline was associated with the prevalence and persistence of clinically relevant depressive symptoms [PHQ-9 ⩾ 10; OR (95% confidence interval) per standard deviation = 1.21 (1.05-1.39) and OR = 1.21 (1.02-1.44), respectively], after full adjustment. On the contrary, no associations were found of global average node degree with the MDD at baseline [OR 1.12 (0.94-1.32) nor incidence or remission of clinically relevant depressive symptoms [HR = 1.05 (0.95-1.17) and OR 1.08 (0.83-1.41), respectively]. Other connectivity measures of white matter organization were not associated with depression. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings suggest that fewer white matter connections may contribute to prevalent depressive symptoms and its persistence but not to incident depression. Future studies are needed to replicate our findings.

The associations of dietary habits with health, well-being, and behavior in adolescents: A cluster analysis.

INTRODUCTION: Dietary habits may be associated with adolescents' health and behavior. However, previous findings are inconsistent and often unadjusted for sociodemographic confounders. The aim of this study was to investigate (1) whether dietary habits (consumption of fruits, vegetables, sweets, soft drinks, breakfast, and family meals) cluster among adolescents and (2) how these clusters associate with a range of health, well-being, and behavior outcomes in a large population-based sample of adolescents. METHODS: The study included adolescents (n = 7529; n = 3891 [51.7%] girls; mean [standard deviation] age = 14.9[2.1] years) from the 2018 Luxembourg Health Behaviour in School-aged Children study. We used cluster analysis to define clusters of dietary habits (consumption of fruits, vegetables, sweets, soft drinks, breakfast, and family meals) and logistic regression analyses to assess the cross-sectional associations of the clusters with health, well-being and behavior, adjusted for age, gender, family affluence, and migration background. RESULTS: Cluster analysis yielded five clusters of dietary habits: (1) healthy, (2) family meal and breakfast skippers, (3) sugar consumption, (4) unbalanced diet, and (5) unhealthy. The healthy cluster was associated with better health and positive mental health and behavior, whereas the less healthy clusters were associated with worse health, mental health problems, and risk behavior. CONCLUSION: Findings suggest that healthy dietary habits associate with positive health and behavior, whereas unhealthy dietary habits associate with health problems and risk behavior during adolescence. More research is needed to investigate the underlying mechanisms. Interventions should include dietary habits as a component of lifestyle modification to improve adolescents' health, well-being, and behavior.

The bidirectional longitudinal association between depressive symptoms and HbA1c : A systematic review and meta-analysis.

AIM: To investigate whether there is a bidirectional longitudinal association of depression with HbA1c . METHODS: We conducted a systematic literature search in PubMed, PsycINFO, CINAHL and EMBASE for observational, longitudinal studies published from January 2000 to September 2020, assessing the association between depression and HbA1c in adults. We assessed study quality with the Newcastle-Ottawa-Scale. Pooled effect estimates were reported as partial correlation coefficients (rp ) or odds ratios (OR). RESULTS: We retrieved 1642 studies; 26 studies were included in the systematic review and eleven in the meta-analysis. Most studies (16/26) focused on type 2 diabetes. Study quality was rated as good (n = 19), fair (n = 2) and poor (n = 5). Of the meta-analysed studies, six investigated the longitudinal association between self-reported depressive symptoms and HbA1c and five the reverse longitudinal association, with a combined sample size of n = 48,793 and a mean follow-up of 2 years. Higher levels of baseline depressive symptoms were associated with subsequent higher levels of HbA1c (partial r = 0.07; [95% CI 0.03, 0.12]; I2 38%). Higher baseline HbA1c values were also associated with 18% increased risk of (probable) depression (OR = 1.18; [95% CI 1.12,1.25]; I2 0.0%). CONCLUSIONS: Our findings support a bidirectional longitudinal association between depressive symptoms and HbA1c . However, the observed effect sizes were small and future research in large-scale longitudinal studies is needed to confirm this association. Future studies should investigate the role of type of diabetes and depression, diabetes distress and diabetes self-management behaviours. Our results may have clinical implications, as depressive symptoms and HbA1c levels could be targeted concurrently in the prevention and treatment of diabetes and depression. REGISTRATION: PROSPERO ID CRD42019147551.

The relation of depression with structural brain abnormalities and cognitive functioning: the Maastricht study.

BACKGROUND: Individuals with depression often experience widespread and persistent cognitive deficits, which might be due to brain atrophy and cerebral small vessel disease (CSVD). We therefore studied the associations between depression, markers of brain atrophy and CSVD, and cognitive functioning. METHODS: We used cross-sectional data from the population-based Maastricht study (n = 4734; mean age 59.1 ± 8.6 years, 50.2% women), which focuses on type 2 diabetes. A current episode of major depressive disorder (MDD, n = 151) was assessed by the Mini-International Neuropsychiatric Interview. Volumes of cerebral spinal fluid, white matter, gray matter and white matter hyperintensities, presence of lacunar infarcts and cerebral microbleeds, and total CSVD burden were assessed by 3 T magnetic resonance imaging. Multiple linear and logistic regression analyses tested the associations between MDD, brain markers and cognitive functioning in memory, information processing speed, and executive functioning & attention, and presence of cognitive impairment. Structural equation modeling was used to test mediation. RESULTS: In fully adjusted models, MDD was associated with lower scores in information processing speed [mean difference = -0.18(-0.28;-0.08)], executive functioning & attention [mean difference = -0.13(-0.25;-0.02)], and with higher odds of cognitive impairment [odds ratio (OR) = 1.60(1.06;2.40)]. MDD was associated with CSVD in participants without type 2 diabetes [OR = 1.65(1.06;2.56)], but CSVD or other markers of brain atrophy or CSVD did not mediate the association with cognitive functioning. CONCLUSIONS: MDD is associated with more impaired information processing speed and executive functioning & attention, and overall cognitive impairment. Furthermore, MDD was associated with CSVD in participants without type 2 diabetes, but this association did not explain an impaired cognitive profile.

Low-grade inflammation and endothelial dysfunction predict four-year risk and course of depressive symptoms: The Maastricht study.

BACKGROUND: Low-grade inflammation (LGI) and endothelial dysfunction (ED) might play a key role in the development of depression. We investigated the associations and mediation of LGI and ED with four-year incidence and course of depressive symptoms (remitted, recurrent or persistent). DESIGN, SETTING, PARTICIPANTS, MEASUREMENTS: In this prospective cohort study (mean age 59.6 ± 8.2 years, 48.9% women, 26.6% diabetes by design), Cox and multinomial regression analyses, adjusted for age, sex, educational level and diabetes status were used to investigate the associations of LGI and ED with onset and course of depressive symptoms as assessed by the PHQ-9 questionnaire. RESULTS: During 10,847 person-years of follow-up, 264 participants developed incident depression. Higher levels of LGI (OR [95%CI] per SD 1.32[1.16-1.49], p < 0.001) and ED (1.26[1.11-1.43], p < 0.001) were associated with incident depressive symptoms. In mediation analysis, 60% of the total effect of ED with incident depressive symptoms could be attributed to LGI. 76 out of 2637 participants had a persistent course of depressive symptoms. Higher levels of LGI (1.75[1.40-2.19], p < 0.001) and ED (1.33[1.04-1.71], p = 0.021) were associated with a persistent course of depressive symptoms. Higher ED was more strongly associated with persistent depressive symptoms (1.33[1.04-1.71], p = 0.021), while LGI was associated with remission of depression symptoms. CONCLUSIONS: LGI and ED were both associated with incident depressive symptoms, where the latter association was substantially mediated by LGI. ED was further associated with a persistent course of depressive symptoms, while LGI was not. These results suggest a temporal, vascular contribution of both LGI and ED to the etiology and chronicity of depressive symptoms.

The association of hyperglycaemia and insulin resistance with incident depressive symptoms over 4 years of follow-up: The Maastricht Study.

AIMS/HYPOTHESIS: Depression is twice as common in individuals with type 2 diabetes as in the general population. However, it remains unclear whether hyperglycaemia and insulin resistance are directly involved in the aetiology of depression. Therefore, we investigated the association of markers of hyperglycaemia and insulin resistance, measured as continuous variables, with incident depressive symptoms over 4 years of follow-up. METHODS: We used data from the longitudinal population-based Maastricht Study (n = 2848; mean age 59.9 ± 8.1 years, 48.8% women, 265 incident depression cases, 10,932 person-years of follow-up). We assessed hyperglycaemia by fasting and 2 h post-load OGTT glucose levels, HbA1c and skin autofluorescence (reflecting AGEs) at baseline. We used the Matsuda insulin sensitivity index and HOMA-IR to calculate insulin resistance at baseline. Depressive symptoms (nine-item Patient Health Questionnaire score ≥10) were assessed at baseline and annually over 4 years. We used Cox regression analyses, and adjusted for demographic, cardiovascular and lifestyle risk factors. RESULTS: Fasting plasma glucose, 2 h post-load glucose and HbA1c levels were associated with an increased risk for incident depressive symptoms after full adjustment (HR 1.20 [95% CI 1.08, 1.33]; HR 1.25 [1.08, 1.44]; and HR 1.22 [1.09, 1.37] per SD, respectively), while skin autofluorescence, insulin sensitivity index and HOMA-IR were not (HR 0.99 [0.86, 1.13]; HR 1.02 [0.85, 1.25]; and HR 0.93 [0.81, 1.08], per SD, respectively). CONCLUSIONS/INTERPRETATION: The observed temporal association between hyperglycaemia and incident depressive symptoms in this study supports the presence of a mechanistic link between hyperglycaemia and the development of depressive symptoms. Graphical abstract.

Risk and protective factors for cognitive decline in Brazilian lower educated older adults: A 15-year follow-up study using group-based trajectory modelling.

BACKGROUND: Patterns of cognitive change and modifiable factors for cognitive decline versus stable cognitive trajectories have rarely been described in lower-educated older adults. OBJECTIVES: We aimed to identify long-term trajectories of cognitive functioning and possible factors associated with cognitive decline. DESIGN AND PARTICIPANTS: We used data from 1,042 adults aged ≥ 60 participating in the Health, Welfare and Aging Study (SABE), São Paulo, Brazil, without cognitive impairment at baseline. Data were collected across four waves (2000-2015). Group-based trajectory modelling was used to identify cognitive trajectories. Associations with socioeconomic variables, childhood background, lifestyle, and cardiovascular risk factors were explored using weighted multinomial logistic regressions. MEASUREMENTS: The abbreviated Mini-Mental State Examination was used to measure cognition. RESULTS: Three cognitive trajectories were identified: stable (n= 754, 68.6%), mild-decline (n= 183, 20.8%), and strong-decline (n= 105, 10.7%). At baseline, respondents in the strong-decline group were more likely to be older than those with stable and mild-decline trajectories. Furthermore, participants in both the mild and strong-decline groups were more likely to have no schooling, be divorced/separated, receive less than 4 monthly wages, and be underweight (BMI < 18.5) compared to the stable group. Finally, the mild-decline group was more likely to have lived in rural areas during childhood than participants located in a stable trajectory. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings suggest that interventions to reduce cognitive decline for low-educated older adults might include strategies addressing inequalities and improving modifiable risk factor burden.

Associations between HbA1c Reduction and Change in Depressive Symptoms following Glucose-lowering Treatment in Adults: A Systematic Review of Intervention Studies.

INTRODUCTION: Hyperglycemia constitutes a likely pathway linking diabetes and depressive symptoms; lowering glycemic levels may help reduce diabetes-comorbid depressive symptoms. Since randomized controlled trials can help understand temporal associations, we systematically reviewed the evidence regarding the potential association of hemoglobin HbA1c lowering interventions with depressive symptoms. METHODS: PubMed, PsycINFO, CINAHL, and EMBASE databases were searched for randomized controlled trials evaluating HbA1c-lowering interventions and including assessment of depressive symptoms published between 01/2000-09/2020. Study quality was evaluated using the Cochrane Risk of Bias tool. PROSPERO registration: CRD42020215541. RESULTS: We retrieved 1,642 studies of which twelve met our inclusion criteria. Nine studies had high and three unclear risks of bias. Baseline depressive symptom scores suggest elevated depressive symptoms in five studies. Baseline HbA1c was <8.0% (<64 mmol/mol) in two, 8.0-9.0% (64-75 mmol/mol) in eight, and ≥10.0% (≥86 mmol/mol) in two studies. Five studies found greater HbA1c reduction in the treatment group; three of these found greater depressive symptom reduction in the treatment group. Of four studies analyzing whether the change in HbA1c was associated with the change in depressive symptoms, none found a significant association. The main limitation of these studies was relatively low levels of depressive symptoms at baseline, limiting the ability to show a lowering in depressive symptoms after HbA1c reduction. CONCLUSIONS: We found insufficient available data to estimate the association between HbA1c reduction and depressive symptom change following glucose-lowering treatment. Our findings point to an important gap in the diabetes treatment literature. Future clinical trials testing interventions to improve glycemic outcomes might consider measuring depressive symptoms as an outcome to enable analyses of this association.

The associations of socioeconomic position with structural brain damage and connectivity and cognitive functioning: The Maastricht Study.

BACKGROUND: Socioeconomic inequalities in cognitive impairment may partly act through structural brain damage and reduced connectivity. This study investigated the extent to which the association of early-life socioeconomic position (SEP) with later-life cognitive functioning is mediated by later-life SEP, and whether the associations of SEP with later-life cognitive functioning can be explained by structural brain damage and connectivity. METHODS: We used cross-sectional data from the Dutch population-based Maastricht Study (n = 4,839; mean age 59.2 ± 8.7 years, 49.8% women). Early-life SEP was assessed by self-reported poverty during childhood and parental education. Later-life SEP included education, occupation, and current household income. Participants underwent cognitive testing and 3-T magnetic resonance imaging to measure volumes of white matter hyperintensities, grey matter, white matter, cerebrospinal fluid, and structural connectivity. Multiple linear regression analyses tested the associations between SEP, markers of structural brain damage and connectivity, and cognitive functioning. Mediation was tested using structural equation modeling. RESULTS: Although there were direct associations between both indicators of SEP and later-life cognitive functioning, a large part of the association between early-life SEP and later-life cognitive functioning was explained by later-life SEP (72.2%). The extent to which structural brain damage or connectivity acted as mediators between SEP and cognitive functioning was small (up to 5.9%). CONCLUSIONS: We observed substantial SEP differences in later-life cognitive functioning. Associations of structural brain damage and connectivity with cognitive functioning were relatively small, and only marginally explained the SEP gradients in cognitive functioning.

Sex/gender and socioeconomic differences in modifiable risk factors for dementia.

Both sex/gender and socioeconomic differences have been reported in the prevalence of modifiable risk factors for dementia. However, it remains unclear whether the associations between modifiable risk factors for dementia and incident dementia differ by sex/gender or socioeconomic status. This study aimed to investigate sex/gender and socioeconomic differences in the associations of modifiable risk factors with incident dementia using a life-course perspective. We used data from the English Longitudinal Study of Ageing (2008/2009 to 2018/2019). A total of 8,941 individuals were included [mean (standard deviation) age, 66.1 ± 9.8 years; 4,935 (55.2%) were women]. No overall sex/gender difference in dementia risk was found. Dementia risk was higher among those who experienced childhood deprivation [hazard ratio (HR) = 1.51 (1.17; 1.96)], lower occupational attainment [HR low versus high = 1.60 (1.23; 2.09) and HR medium versus high = 1.53 (1.15; 2.06)], and low wealth [HR low versus high = 1.63 (1.26; 2.12)]. Though different associations were found among the subgroups, there might be a sex/gender difference in dementia risk only for low cognitive activity, suggesting a higher risk for women [HR = 2.61 (1.89; 3.60)] compared to men [HR = 1.73 (1.20; 2.49)]. No consistent socioeconomic differences in modifiable dementia risk were found. A population-based approach that tackles inequalities in dementia risk profiles directly may be more effective than individual approaches in dementia prevention.

The Correlation between Adolescent Daily Breakfast Consumption and Socio-Demographic: Trends in 23 European Countries Participating in the Health Behaviour in School-Aged Children Study (2002-2018).

Breakfast is often considered the most important meal of the day and can benefit adolescent health in several ways. The aims of the present study were (1) to identify adolescents' socio-demographic (sex, family affluence and family structure) determinants of daily breakfast consumption (DBC) and (2) to describe trends in DBC among adolescents across 23 countries. Cross-sectional surveys of nationally representative samples of adolescents (aged 11, 13, and 15 years) (n = 589,737) participating in the Health Behaviour in School-aged Children (HBSC) survey from 2002 to 2018 were used. Multilevel logistic regression analyses modeled DBC over time, adjusted for family affluence, family structure and year of survey. Four countries showed an increased trend in DBC (the Netherlands, Macedonia, Slovenia, and England). A significant decrease in DBC was observed in 15 countries (Belgium-Fr, France, Germany, Croatia, Portugal, Spain, Hungary, Poland, Russian Federation, Ukraine, Denmark, Finland, Latvia, Lithuania and Sweden). In 4 countries no significant change was observed (Czech Republic, Scotland, Ireland and Norway). In most of the countries (n = 19), DBC was higher among the adolescents from high-affluence homes. In all the countries analysed, the adolescents living in two-parent households report higher DBC use than those in single-parent households. More than half of the countries showed a decrease in DBC. There is a need to implement key interventions by developing different strategies (education, incorporating educational curriculum and counselling programmes) to increase DBC. Comparing DBC patterns across HBSC countries is important for understanding regional and global trends, monitoring strategies, and developing health promotion programmes.

The cardiometabolic depression subtype and its association with clinical characteristics: The Maastricht Study.

BACKGROUND: Individuals with depression often show an adverse cardiometabolic risk profile and might represent a distinct depression subtype. The aim of this study was to investigate whether a cardiometabolic depression subtype could be identified and to investigate its association with demographics and clinical characteristics (severity, symptomatology, anti-depressant use, persistence and cognitive functioning). METHODS: We used data from The Maastricht Study, a population-based cohort in the southern part of The Netherlands. A total of 248 participants with major depressive disorder were included (mean [SD] age, 58.8 ± 8.5 years; 121 [48.8 %] were men). Major depressive disorder was assessed at baseline by the Mini-International Neuropsychiatric Interview. Cardiometabolic risk factors were defined as indicators of the metabolic syndrome according to the National Cholesterol Education Program Adult Treatment Panel III guidelines. We measured severity and persistence of depressive symptoms by use of the 9-item Patient Health Questionnaire. RESULTS: Latent class analysis resulted in two subtypes, one with cardiometabolic depression (n = 145) and another with non-cardiometabolic depression (n = 103). The cardiometabolic depression subtype was characterized by being male, low education, more severe depressive symptoms, less symptoms of depressed mood and more symptoms of loss of energy, more use of antidepressant medication and lower cognitive functioning. LIMITATIONS: No conclusions can be made about causality. CONCLUSIONS: Latent class analysis suggested a distinct cardiometabolic depression subtype. Participants with cardiometabolic depression differed from participants with non-cardiometabolic depression in terms of demographics and clinical characteristics. The existence of a cardiometabolic depression subtype may indicate the need for prevention and treatment targeting cardiometabolic risk management.

The association of markers of cerebral small vessel disease and brain atrophy with incidence and course of depressive symptoms - the maastricht study.

BACKGROUND: Cerebral small vessel disease (CSVD) and neurodegeneration may be involved in the development and persistence of late-life depressive symptoms, but longitudinal evidence is scarce. We investigated the longitudinal associations of markers of CSVD and brain atrophy with incident depressive symptoms and the course of depressive symptoms, above and below 60 years of age. METHODS: White matter hyperintensity volumes (WMH), presence of lacunar infarcts and cerebral microbleeds, and white matter, grey matter, and cerebral spinal fluid volumes were assessed at baseline by 3T MRI in The Maastricht Study (mean age 59.5±8.5 years, 49.6% women, n=4,347; 16,535 person-years of follow-up). Clinically relevant depressive symptoms (9-item Patient Health Questionnaire≥10) were assessed at baseline and annually over seven years. We used Cox regression and multinomial logistic regression analyses adjusted for demographic, cardiovascular, and lifestyle risk factors. RESULTS: Above 60 years of age, larger WMH volumes were associated with an increased risk for incident depressive symptoms (HR[95%CI]:1.24[1.04;1.48] per SD) and a persistent course of depressive symptoms (OR:1.44[1.04;2.00] per SD). Total CSVD burden was associated with persistent depressive symptoms irrespective of age (adjusted OR:1.58[1.03;2.43]), while no associations were found for general markers of brain atrophy. LIMITATIONSS: Our findings need replication in other large-scale population-based studies. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings may suggest a temporal association of larger WMH volume with the incidence and persistence of late-life depression in the general population and may provide a potential target for the prevention of chronic late-life depression.

Association of Retinal Nerve Fiber Layer Thickness, an Index of Neurodegeneration, With Depressive Symptoms Over Time.

Importance: Whether neurodegeneration contributes to the early pathobiology of late-life depression remains incompletely understood. Objective: To investigate whether lower retinal nerve fiber layer (RNFL) thickness, a marker of neurodegeneration, is associated with the incidence of clinically relevant depressive symptoms and depressive symptoms over time. Design, Setting, and Participants: This is a population-based cohort study from the Netherlands (The Maastricht Study) with baseline examination between 2010 and 2020 and median (IQR) follow-up of 5.0 (3.0-6.0) years. Participants were recruited from the general population. Individuals with type 2 diabetes were oversampled by design. Data analysis was performed from September 2020 to January 2021. Exposures: RNFL, an index of neurodegeneration, assessed with optical coherence tomography. Main Outcomes and Measures: Depressive symptoms were assessed with the Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ)-9 (continuous score, 0-27) at baseline and over time via annual assessments. The presence of clinically relevant depressive symptoms was defined as a PHQ-9 score of 10 or higher. Results: We used data from 4934 participants with depressive symptoms over time (mean [SD] age, 59.7 [8.4] years; 2159 women [50.8%]; 870 had type 2 diabetes [20.5%]). Lower RNFL thickness was associated with higher incidence of clinically relevant depressive symptoms (per 1 SD, hazard ratio 1.11; 95% CI, 1.01-1.23) and more depressive symptoms over time (per 1 SD, rate ratio, 1.04; 95% CI, 1.01-1.06), after adjustment for demographic, cardiovascular, and lifestyle factors. Conclusions and Relevance: The findings of this study suggest that lower RNFL thickness is associated with higher incidence of clinically relevant depressive symptoms and more depressive symptoms over time. Hence, neurodegeneration may be associated with the early pathobiology of late-life depression.

Association of Markers of Microvascular Dysfunction With Prevalent and Incident Depressive Symptoms: The Maastricht Study.

The etiology of late-life depression (LLD) is still poorly understood. Microvascular dysfunction (MVD) has been suggested to play a role in the etiology of LLD, but direct evidence of this association is scarce. The aim of this study was to investigate whether direct and indirect markers of early microvascular dysfunction are associated with prevalent and incident LLD in the population-based Maastricht Study cohort. We measured microvascular dysfunction at baseline by use of flicker light-induced retinal vessel dilation response (Dynamic Vessel Analyzer), heat-induced skin hyperemic response (laser- Doppler flowmetry), and plasma markers of endothelial dysfunction (endothelial dysfunction; sICAM-1 [soluble intercellular adhesion molecule-1], sVCAM-1 [soluble vascular adhesion molecule-1], sE-selectin [soluble E-selectin], and vWF [Von Willebrand Factor]). Depressive symptoms were assessed with the 9-item Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9) at baseline and annually over 4 years of follow-up (n=3029; mean age 59.6±8.2 years, 49.5% were women, n=132 and n=251 with prevalent and incident depressive symptoms [PHQ-9≥10]). We used logistic, negative binominal and Cox regression analyses, and adjusted for demographic, cardiovascular, and lifestyle factors. Retinal venular dilatation and plasma markers of endothelial dysfunction were associated with the more prevalent depressive symptoms after full adjustment (PHQ-9 score, RR, 1.05 [1.00-1.11] and RR 1.06 [1.01-1.11], respectively). Retinal venular dilatation was also associated with prevalent depressive symptoms (PHQ-9≥10; odds ratio, 1.42 [1.09-1.84]), after full adjustment. Retinal arteriolar dilatation and plasma markers of endothelial dysfunction were associated with incident depressive symptoms (PHQ-9≥10; HR, 1.23 [1.04-1.46] and HR, 1.19 [1.05-1.35]), after full adjustment. These findings support the concept that microvascular dysfunction in the retina, and plasma markers of endothelial dysfunction is involved in the etiology of LLD and might help in finding additional targets for the prevention and treatment of LLD.