Area of Science:

• Psychiatry
• Cardiology
• Epidemiology

Background:

• Mental health disorders, particularly depression, are increasingly linked to cardiovascular diseases.
• Understanding the specific subtypes of depression and their association with metabolic risk factors is crucial for targeted interventions.

Purpose of the Study:

• To determine the prevalence and course of mental disorders in the general population.
• To investigate the mechanisms linking mental disorders and cardiovascular diseases.
• To identify specific depression subtypes associated with cardio-metabolic risk.

Main Methods:

• Prospective cohort study (PsyCoLaus) in Lausanne.
• Assessment of mental disorders, cognitive functioning, and cardiovascular risk factors.
• Analysis of depression subtypes and their correlation with metabolic health.

Main Results:

• A high lifetime prevalence of 43.6% for major depressive disorder was observed in Lausanne.
• The association between major depression and cardio-metabolic risk factors is primarily linked to the atypical subtype of depression.
• Atypical depression is characterized by increased appetite, limb heaviness, hypersomnia, and preserved affective reactivity.

Conclusions:

• Atypical depression significantly elevates the risk of developing overweight, diabetes, and metabolic syndrome.
• Individuals with atypical depression require focused clinical attention regarding metabolic health.
• Findings highlight the importance of recognizing and managing specific depression subtypes to mitigate cardiovascular disease risk.