Depression and Metabolic Syndrome Study

Researchers have found in a new study that depression is positively associated with recovered, incident, and persistent Metabolic Syndrome (MetS). The study has been published in the Journal of Psychiatric Research.

Metabolic Syndrome (MetS) and depression comorbidity has been recognized, but its directionality is still uncertain. The aims of this study were to assess the association between depression (diagnosis and severity) and MetS (components, diagnosis, and trajectory) at baseline and over a 4-year follow-up period.

Material and Methods

Baseline and follow-up data from 13,883 participants of the Brazilian Longitudinal Study of Adult Health were analyzed. The Clinical Interview Schedule Revised assessed depressive episodes and their severity. MetS components and diagnosis were assessed according to the National Cholesterol Education Program Adult Treatment Panel III. Participants were grouped according to MetS trajectory as recovered, incident, and persistent MetS. Logistic regression analysis was conducted estimating odds ratios (OR) and 95% confidence intervals (95% CI).

Results

• Baseline depression was positively associated with recovered, incident, and persistent MetS. Baseline depression was also associated with large waist circumference, high triglycerides, low high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, and hyperglycemia at follow-up.
• Having three or more MetS components at follow-up was associated with baseline depression, with a positive dose-response effect.
• The magnitude of associations was greater in severe depression, compared to moderate and mild.

These results support that depression is a risk factor for the development of MetS and highlight the need to follow metabolic and cardiovascular alterations in the presence of depression.

Reference

Lara Onofre Ferriani, Daniela Alves Silva, Maria del Carmen Bisi Molina, José Geraldo Mill, André Russowsky Brunoni, Maria de Jesus Mendes da Fonseca, Arlinda B. Moreno, Isabela M. Benseñor, Odaleia Barbosa de Aguiar, Sandhi Maria Barreto, Maria Carmen Viana, Depression is a risk factor for metabolic syndrome: Results from the ELSA-Brasil cohort study. Journal of Psychiatric Research, Volume 158, 2023, Pages 56-62, ISSN 0022-3956, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jpsychires.2022.12.017.