Depression: an important co morbidity with metabolic syndrome in a general population

Abstract

Objective: There is a recognised association between depression, diabetes and cardiovascular disease. The aim of this study was to examine in a sample representative of the general population whether depression, anxiety and psychological distress are associated with metabolic syndrome and its components.

Research Design and Methods: Three cross-sectional surveys including clinical health measures were completed in rural regions of Australia during 2004–06. A stratified random sample (n=1690, response rate 48%) of men and women, aged 25–84 years, was selected from the electoral roll. Metabolic syndrome was defined by the Third Report of the National Cholesterol Education Program Expert Panel on Detection, Evaluation, and Treatment of High Blood Cholesterol in Adults, Adult Treatment Panel III (NCEP ATP III) and International Diabetes Federation (IDF) criteria. Anxiety and depression were assessed by the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale and psychological distress by the Kessler 10 measure.

Results: Metabolic syndrome was associated with depression but not psychological distress or anxiety. Participants with metabolic syndrome had higher scores for depression (n=409, mean score 3.41, 95% CI 3.12–3.70) than those without metabolic syndrome (n=936, mean 2.95, 95% CI 2.76–3.13). This association was also present in 338 participants with metabolic syndrome and without diabetes (mean score 3.37, 95%CI 3.06–3.68). Large waist circumference and low HDL-cholesterol showed significant and independent associations with depression.

Conclusions: Our results show an association between metabolic syndrome and depression in a heterogeneous sample. The presence of depression in individuals with metabolic syndrome has implications for clinical management.