Key result
Higher Body Roundness Index linked to up to ~32% greater stroke risk in depressed adults.
Why the study?
Whether lipid-obesity indices that outperform BMI improve stroke risk stratification among depressed individuals remains uncertain, especially across Asian and European populations.
Do lipid-obesity indices (BRI, AIP, WHtR) associate with stroke risk in depressed individuals?
Cohort (n=9,482)
Yes
Do lipid-obesity indices (BRI, AIP, WHtR) associate with stroke risk in depressed individuals?
The Body Roundness Index (BRI) is consistently associated with an increased risk of stroke in depressed adults across Asian and European populations, suggesting it may be a useful metabolic marker beyond traditional BMI.
Answers are grounded in this paper and cite their sources.
Should not yet change stroke risk assessment in practice; leaves open BRI's incremental value pending prospective validation.
Background and aims Depression significantly elevates stroke risk, and metabolic dysregulation may further magnify this burden. However, whether lipid–obesity indices that outperform BMI in general populations can improve risk stratification among depressed individuals remains uncertain, particularly given potential differences between Asian and European populations. This study aimed to investigate the associations between various lipid obesity indices and stroke risk among depressed individuals by analyzing data from the CHARLS and ELSA databases. Methods We analyzed data from depressed participants in the CHARLS and ELSA databases. Three lipid–obesity indices (BRI, AIP, and WHtR) were assessed and categorized into quartiles. Multivariable logistic regression models were applied to estimate the odds ratios (ORs) for stroke risk. Additionally, threshold effect analyses were performed to explore potential non-linear relationships.Subgroup analyses were conducted specifically for BRI, given its consistent associations across both cohorts. Results A total of 9,482 participants with depression scores were included (CHARLS: n=4,028; ELSA: n=5,454). BRI demonstrated a consistent and significant association with stroke risk across both cohorts (CHARLS: OR 1.14, 95% CI: 1.03–1.27, P=0.0109; ELSA: OR 1.32, 95% CI: 1.06–1.65, P=0.0143). According to the results of regression analysis, BRI showed a linear relationship with stroke risk in both populations. Subgroup analyses stratified by age, gender, education, marital status, smoking, and alcohol consumption confirmed the robustness of this association, with no significant interactions across all subgroups. Conclusions BRI consistently associates with stroke risk in depressed adults across Asian and European cohorts, suggesting its potential as a simple, cross-culturally robust metabolic marker beyond traditional BMI. Conflict of interest Xuzi Li:nothing to disclose .Anling Luo: nothing to disclose. Yiting Deng: nothing to disclose.Yujia Yang: nothing to disclose.Qin Yang: nothing to disclose. Yujie Chen:nothing to disclose. Li He: nothing to disclose. Muke Zhou: nothing to disclose Figure 1 - belongs to Methods Table 1 - belongs to Results Table 2 - belongs to Results
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Li et al. (2026) conducted a cohort in Depression (n=9,482). Body Roundness Index (BRI) was evaluated on Stroke risk (OR 1.14 (CHARLS); OR 1.32 (ELSA), 95% CI 1.03-1.27 (CHARLS); 1.06-1.65 (ELSA), p=0.0109 (CHARLS); 0.0143 (ELSA)). Body Roundness Index (BRI) was significantly associated with increased stroke risk in depressed adults across both the CHARLS (OR 1.14; 95% CI 1.03-1.27) and ELSA (OR 1.32; 95% CI 1.06-1.65) cohorts.
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