Metabolic Syndrome and Depression: A Cross-Sectional Analysis

Tuula H. Heiskanen, M.D.; Leo K. Niskanen, M.D., Ph.D.; Jukka J. Hintikka, M.D., Ph.D.; Heli T. Koivumaa-Honkanen, M.D., Ph.D.; Kirsi M. Honkalampi, Ph.D.; Kaisa M. Haatainen, Ph.D.; and Heimo T. Viinamäki, M.D., Ph.D.

Objective: To examine the prevalence of the metabolic syndrome in depressive outpatients and to identify its correlates in depression.

Method: This cross-sectional analysis was performed on 121 depressive outpatients from January 2002 through January 2004 who were diagnosed at baseline with the Structured Clinical Interview for DSM-III-R. The metabolic syndrome was diagnosed at 6-year follow-up according to the modified criteria of the National Cholesterol Education Program. The severity of depressive symptoms was assessed at follow-up with the Beck Depression Inventory and the Hamilton Rating Scale for Depression, and general psychopathology was assessed with the Symptom Checklist-90.

Results: At 6-year follow-up, the prevalence of metabolic syndrome in the study group of depressive outpatients was 36% (N = 44). The syndrome was associated with a current diagnosis of major depression and overeating, but not with age or sex.

Conclusion: The metabolic syndrome is highly prevalent among patients with a history of depression, especially those with current major depression. This may have implications for treatment. Furthermore, attention should be focused on the physical health of those suffering from depression.

(J Clin Psychiatry 2006;67:1422-1427)

Received Dec. 22, 2005; accepted March 8, 2006. From the Departments of Psychiatry (Drs. Heiskanen, Hintikka, Koivumaa-Honkanen, Honkalampi, Haatainen, and Viinamäki) and Medicine (Dr. Niskanen), Kuopio University Hospital, Kuopio; the Department of Psychiatry, Päijät-Häme Central Hospital, Lahti; and the Department of Psychiatry, University of Tampere, Tampere (Dr. Hintikka), Finland.

The authors report no financial or other affiliations relevant to the subject of this article.

Corresponding author and reprints: Tuula H. Heiskanen, M.D., Kuopio University Hospital, Department of Psychiatry, P.O. Box 1777, FIN-70211 Kuopio, Finland (e-mail: tuula.heiskanen@kuh.fi).