Anxiety but not depression is associated with metabolic syndrome: The Isfahan Healthy Heart Program

Only a few studies have carried out to evaluate the association of depression and anxiety with metabolic syndrome (MetS). The aim of this study was to investigate whether the depression and anxiety are associated with MetS and its different components.

This cross-sectional study forms part of the prospective Isfahan Cohort Study. A total of 470 participants were chosen. Anxiety and depression symptoms were measured using hospital anxiety and depression scale (HADS). The MetS was diagnosed according to the American Heart Association and National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute. One-way analysis of variance and binary logistic regression were used.

The mean age of participants was 55.7 ± 9.3. The prevalence of MetS in female participants with symptoms of depression (P < 0.0001), concurrent anxiety and depression (P = 0.004), anxiety (P < 0.0001), and asymptomatic individuals (P = 0.001) was significantly different when compared to male participants. Moreover, the analysis showed that having anxiety symptoms is in a negative relationship with MetS (odds ratio [OR] = 0.31; 95% confidence interval [CI] = 0.12-0.78). In addition, with each 10-year increase in age, the probability of MetS will decrease 40% (OR = 0.59; 95%Cl = 0.53-0.72). Body mass index (OR = 1.29; 95%CI = 1.21-1.37), and gender (higher age for women) (OR = 0.34; 95%CI = 0.11-0.98) had positive relationship with MetS.

The study findings revealed that the prevalence of MetS in patients with anxiety was lower than the healthy subjects, while no significant association was found between depression, concurrent depression, an anxiety with MetS.