What is the clinical evidence from this study?

Study design: Cross-Sectional. Population: Depression (n=121). Intervention: Depression. Primary outcome: Prevalence of metabolic syndrome.

September 15, 2006

Metabolic Syndrome and Depression

Key Result

Depression in outpatients was associated with a 36% prevalence of metabolic syndrome at 6-year follow-up, correlating with current major depression and overeating.

Study Design

Type

Cross-Sectional (n=121)

Structured PICO

What is the prevalence and what are the correlates of metabolic syndrome in depressive outpatients?

Population

121 depressive outpatients followed for 6 years to assess the prevalence and correlates of metabolic syndrome.

Outcome

Prevalence of the metabolic syndrome at 6-year follow-up

Metabolic syndrome is highly prevalent (36%) among outpatients with a history of depression, highlighting the need for targeted physical health monitoring in this population.

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: To examine the prevalence of the metabolic syndrome in depressive outpatients and to identify its correlates in depression. METHOD: This cross-sectional analysis was performed on 121 depressive outpatients from January 2002 through January 2004 who were diagnosed at baseline with the Structured Clinical Interview for DSM-III-R. The metabolic syndrome was diagnosed at 6-year follow-up according to the modified criteria of the National Cholesterol Education Program. The severity of depressive symptoms was assessed at follow-up with the Beck Depression Inventory and the Hamilton Rating Scale for Depression, and general psychopathology was assessed with the Symptom Checklist-90. RESULTS: At 6-year follow-up, the prevalence of metabolic syndrome in the study group of depressive outpatients was 36% (N = 44). The syndrome was associated with a current diagnosis of major depression and overeating, but not with age or sex. CONCLUSION: The metabolic syndrome is highly prevalent among patients with a history of depression, especially those with current major depression. This may have implications for treatment. Furthermore, attention should be focused on the physical health of those suffering from depression.

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