Metabolic Syndrome, Anxiety and Depression in a Sample of Italian Primary Care Patients

Abstract

This cross-sectional study aimed at measuring the correlation and association of anxiety, depression and comorbid anxiety-depression symptoms with metabolic syndrome (MetS) in a sample of Italian primary care patients who attended their General Practitioner clinics over a 1-month period in 2013. The Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS) was used to assess anxiety and depressive symptoms. The sample was made up of 129 patients (57% women; mean age, 61 ± 12 years). The prevalence of MetS varied from 40% (Adult Treatment Panel III-Revised criteria) to 48% (International Diabetes Federation criteria). The prevalence of symptoms of anxiety, depression and comorbid anxiety and depression was, respectively, 26%, 2%, and 15%. MetS (defined according to Adult Treatment Panel III-Revised criteria) was associated with comorbid anxiety-depressive symptoms (odds ratio [OR] = 3.84, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.26-11.71), but not with anxiety or depressive symptoms only. Out of the individual components of MetS, enlarged waist circumference was associated with anxiety symptoms (OR = 4.22, 95% CI = 1.56-11.44).

Subclinical hypothyroidism and anxiety may contribute to metabolic syndrome in Sichuan of China: a hospital-based population study

“…Recently, Kim, M. D. et al found that depressed individuals with SCH are more likely to meet the criteria for MetS, indicating the existence of the complicated relation among depression, SCH and MetS 32 . In the current study, we failed to identify depression as independent risk factor for MetS, which was in line with findings of some previous studies but in conflict with others [33][34][35] . To a great extent, this contradiction could be attributed to the differences in socioeconomics, cultural background and diagnostic criteria among various researches.…”

Quality of life, depression, and anxiety of patients undergoing hemodialysis: Significant role of acceptance of the illness

“…37 Among primary care patients, the comorbidity between depression and anxiety was found at the rate of 15% and the comorbid of anxiety-depressive symptoms was significantly associated with the presence of metabolic syndrome. 38 The high prevalence of depression among HD patients in the present study indicates the need for further clinical examination and proper treatment.…”

Prevalence of depression and anxiety and their association with cardiovascular risk factors in Northeast Brasil primary care patients

“…26.27 The diagnosis of MADD in primary care patients is of great importance, considering its relation with the development of other risk factors, such as lifestyle, smoking, and alcohol consumption, in addition to metabolic syndrome. 28 Mortality from all causes, including cardiovascular diseases, was particularly higher in female populations with MADD. 29 The fact that depressive disorders are three times more frequent among women than in men is in agreement with previous Brazilian epidemiological research.…”

“…We found a greater risk of dyslipidemia among anxious and depressive patients, similarly to the results of previous studies. 28,36,37 The increased risk of dyslipidemia and especially of obesity among people with symptoms of anxiety and depression seems to be mediated by a mild chronic inflammation. 36 Santos et al 38 described an association between morphological changes in the hippocampus and disturbances in the levels of chronic inflammation mediated by cortisol in patients with mood disorders.…”