Demographic and Pharmacological Correlates of Depressed Affect and Impulsivity: A Retrospective Analysis

Background: Depressed affect and impulsivity are distinct psychiatric symptoms that impact patient care and treatment strategies. Understanding the demographic and pharmacological characteristics associated with each condition can improve clinical decision-making and personalized interventions. This study examines possible links between demographic factors, social risk factors, and medication use in patients diagnosed with depressed affect versus impulsivity, with additional analyses stratified by sex. Methods: This retrospective cohort study analyzed patients treated at Prisma Health-Upstate from February 2016 to August 2021 with diagnoses of depressed affect or impulsivity. Data were obtained from a prospectively assembled database, including demographic variables (age, sex, race, and ethnicity), social risk factors (alcohol and tobacco use), and medication history. Univariate and multivariable logistic regression analyses were performed to detect factors associated with depressed affect versus impulsivity, independent of sex and stratified by sex. Results: A total of 681 patients met inclusion criteria, with 151 diagnosed with depressed affect and 530 with impulsivity. Compared to patients with depressed affect, those with impulsivity were more likely to be younger (21.01 ± 22.24 vs. 48.34 ± 22.03, p Sex-stratified analyses revealed distinct risk factors for each condition. In males, impulsivity was associated with alcohol use (OR = 3.258, 95% CI: 1.394-7.613, p=0.006), while increasing age (OR = 0.979, 95% CI: 0.963-0.995, p=0.012) and Black race (OR = 0.196, 95% CI: 0.058-0.665, p=0.009) were linked to depressed affect. Among females, impulsivity was strongly associated with alcohol use (OR = 17.557, 95% CI: 5.442-56.646, p Conclusion: Patients diagnosed with impulsivity exhibit distinct demographic and pharmacological profiles compared to those with depressed affect. These findings highlight potential targets for tailored clinical and pharmacological interventions, particularly regarding medication selection and risk factor management.