Background: Numerous studies report a positive association between the presence of vascular conditions and depression; however, it is unclear whether this presents a distinct subtype of depression.
Method: A comprehensive literature search of Medline was conducted in order to identify studies that have compared symptoms of those with depression in the presence and absence of vascular factors.
Aims: To provide a systematic review of studies that have attempted to characterise the depressive symptomatology associated with vascular factors. To establish whether the evidence for a subtype is sufficient to be of use in clinical settings.
Results: Thirteen publications were identified as relevant to the investigation. Study design and definition of vascular factors varied greatly between studies. Depression in the presence of vascular conditions was associated with poor motivation, lack of energy and psychomotor change in some studies, though these findings were inconsistent. Many other possible distinctive features were reported in individual publications but were not consistent enough to be used confidently as a diagnostic feature.
Conclusion: At present, there does not appear to be sufficient evidence to support a clinically-recognisable subtype of vascular depression.