Metabolic syndrome and central obesity in depression: A cross-sectional study

The current epidemiological data and meta-analyses indicate a bidirectional association between depression and metabolic syndrome (MetS).

To assess the prevalence of metabolic syndrome and obesity in drug naïve patients (in current episode) having Recurrent Major Depressive Disorder and Bipolar Depression.

This was a single point cross sectional observational study that involved administration of diagnostic and assessment tools and blood investigations. Recruitment for the study was done from a period of September 2008 to august 2009.

The prevalence of MetS was significantly more in the depression group when compared to healthy controls. The Bipolar depression group had 24% prevalence and recurrent depression group had 26% prevalence as opposed to none in the control group. The prevalence of MetS did not differ significantly amongst the both depression groups. Presence of central obesity was significantly more in the recurrent depression (30%) and Bipolar depression (24%) as compared to controls (8%). There was no statistically significant difference between the two depression subgroups.

Our study adds to the mounting evidence that links the presence of depression and metabolic syndrome. As we had ensured a drug free period of at least 3 months, the findings in our study indicate that the metabolic syndrome observed in our study is independent of drug exposure.

This study demonstrated significantly more incidence of metabolic syndrome and central obesity in patients of depression than age and sex matched controls.