Does obesity predict bipolarity in major depressive patients?
Giulia Vannucchi1, Cristina Toni2, Icro Maremmani3
1Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Unit of Psychiatry, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy.
Journal of Affective Disorders
|November 12, 2013
Summary
Obesity in Major Depressive Episode (MDE) patients is linked to bipolar disorder and manic symptoms, suggesting a potential shared mechanism. Further research is needed to understand this association.
Area of Science:
- Psychiatry
- Clinical Psychology
- Epidemiology
Background:
- The relationship between obesity and Major Depressive Episode (MDE) subtypes, specifically bipolar versus unipolar, remains under-investigated.
- This study aims to clarify the association between obesity and the presence of manic or hypomanic symptoms in a large clinical sample of MDE patients.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the differential association of obesity in bipolar and unipolar Major Depressive Episode (MDE).
- To explore the relationships between obesity and history of manic and hypomanic symptoms in MDE patients.
Main Methods:
- A sample of 571 MDE patients from 30 Italian outpatient psychiatric facilities were assessed.
- Height and weight were measured to calculate Body Mass Index (BMI); a BMI >30 defined obesity.
- The Hypomania Check List-32 (HCL-32) was used to evaluate lifetime manic or hypomanic features.
Main Results:
- Obesity (BMI >30) was identified in 15.1% of MDE patients.
- Obese patients had lower educational attainment and were more frequently married compared to non-obese patients.
- Obesity was significantly more prevalent in patients with bipolar MDE and higher HCL-32 scores, with bipolar subtype being the strongest predictor of obesity.
Conclusions:
- Obesity in MDE patients is associated with the bipolar subtype and the presence of (hypo)manic symptoms.
- These findings suggest a potential link between obesity and bipolarity, possibly mediated by an impulsive-addictive diathesis.
- Further longitudinal studies are recommended to elucidate the role and burden of obesity in bipolar disorder.
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