Gender differences in associations of depressive symptoms and anxiety with inflammatory markers in patients with non-obstructive coronary artery disease.

Objective: The aim of this study was to examine gender differences of the associations between depressive symptoms and anxiety with inflammatory markers in patients with non-obstructive coronary artery disease (NOCAD).

Methods: Depressive symptoms and anxiety (Beck Depression Inventory BDI and Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale HADS) were examined in 524 patients with NOCAD (52% women, mean age 64 ± 9 years) as part of the TweeSteden Mild Stenosis (TWIST) observational cohort study. Blood samples were analyzed for neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin (NGAL) levels, high-sensitive C-reactive protein (hsCRP), and leukocyte differentiation.