Dietary inflammation and its impact on congestive heart failure in older adults with depression

Depression is recognized as a major contributor to global disability, significantly impacting individuals' quality of life. Recent studies suggest a link between depression and cardiovascular diseases, including congestive heart failure (CHF), possibly influenced by dietary patterns that promote chronic inflammation. This cross-sectional study investigated the relationship between the dietary inflammatory index (DII) and congestive heart failure in older adults with depressive symptoms. Data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) collected between 2005 and 2018 were analyzed. The participants were classified according to their depressive symptoms and congestive heart failure status. DII scores were calculated from dietary intake data, reflecting the inflammatory potential of participants' diets. The associations between the DII and the status of CHF among individuals with depression were assessed using generalized linear models (GLM), trend tests, and subgroup analyses. Among individuals displaying depressive symptoms, particularly those aged over 60 years, a significant positive correlation was found between DII scores and the incidence of CHF [OR: 1.122 (95% CI: 1.041, 1.209)]. Subgroup analyses indicated that older adults (≥ 60 years) were especially vulnerable to the effects of dietary inflammation on CHF risk, while no significant association was observed in younger participants (< 60 years). Higher DII scores are linked to an increased risk of CHF among older adults with depressive symptoms. This highlights the need for dietary interventions to address inflammation, potentially reducing CHF risk in this vulnerable population.