Objective: To evaluate associations between exposure to three classes of medications (angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitors, calcium channel blockers, and corticosteroids) and self-reported depressive symptoms.
Method: The study utilised a cross-sectional study design in a sample of medical inpatients.
Results: Associations between self-reported depressive symptoms and exposure to angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitors or calcium channel blockers were not observed. However, an association between self-reported depressive symptoms and corticosteroid exposure was identified. The association was strongest in subjects reporting a past history of depression or a family history of depression. The strength of the corticosteroid-depressive symptom association was comparable with that of associations observed for age, poverty and psychosocial stress.
Conclusions: Depressive symptoms among medical inpatients have a biopsychosocial etiology. Corticosteroid exposure may be a biological risk factor for depressive symptoms in this population.