Association of metabolic syndrome and its components with suicidal ideation and depression in adults: A nationally representative sample of the Korean population

Association of Body Mass Index and Cardiometabolic Factors With Elderly Suicide: A Cohort Study of 101,518 Older Taiwanese

BACKGROUND

Older people have the highest suicide rate across age groups in most countries. The prevalence of cardiometabolic risk factors also increases with age. We investigated the association between body mass index (BMI), cardiometabolic risk factors, and suicide in a large cohort of older people in Taiwan.

METHODS

We conducted a cohort study using data from an elderly health examination program in Taipei City, Taiwan (2005-2010), linked to the national cause-of-death data files. We used competing risk Cox regression models to investigate the associations of BMI (kg/m2) and cardiometabolic factors with suicide after adjusting for sex, age, socioeconomic variables, chronic diseases, psychological distress, and cognitive function.

RESULTS

Among 101,518 individuals aged ≥ 65 years, 92 died by suicide during an average follow-up of 3.9 years. Underweight (BMI<18.5) was associated with increased suicide risk (adjusted hazard ratio [aHR]=2.33, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.20-4.52) (reference: normal weight). Low diastolic blood pressure was associated with increased suicide risk - aHR was 0.51 (95% CI 0.29-0.91) and 0.55 (95% CI 0.31-0.99) for the third and fourth quartiles of diastolic blood pressure (reference: the lowest quartile), respectively. Older people with a higher waist circumference (aHR per 1-standard-deviation increase=0.60 [95% CI 0.37-0.98]) and a higher number of metabolic syndrome criteria (aHR per 1-criterion increase=0.65 [95% 0.46-0.92]) had lower suicide risk. Systolic blood pressure, pulse rate, fasting blood glucose, and lipid profiles were not associated with suicide risk.

CONCLUSIONS

Underweight, low diastolic blood pressure, and low waist circumference may be markers of increased suicide risk in older people.

Prevalence of Metabolic Syndrome According to Physical Activity, Dietary Habits, Mental Status, Social Status, Health Behavior, and Obesity Phenotypes in Korean Adolescents: 2016-2021

Environmental factors play a role in increasing or decreasing the risk of metabolic syndrome (MetS) in adolescents. We analyzed the impact of physical activity (PA), dietary habits, and mental and socioeconomic status on MetS prevalence in 2143 (boys: 1113, girls: 1030, age: 13-18 years) Korean middle- and high-school students. Metabolically healthy obesity and metabolically unhealthy normal weight were also evaluated. MetS occurred in 215 participants (10.0%), and boys had a higher MetS rate than girls. There was no significant difference in alcohol consumption and smoking experience between individuals with and those without MetS. The odds ratio (OR) for high-school students was 1.33 (95%CI, 1.001-1.789, p = 0.043) times that of middle-school students. Depression, low aerobic PA, and high sedentary time increased the ORs to 1.64 (95%CI, 1.059-2.539, p = 0.020), 1.52 (95%CI, 1.092-2.203, p = 0.003), and 1.86 (95%CI, 1.342-2.587, p < 0.001), respectively. Higher energy intake and low weekly breakfast consumption frequency yielded ORs of 1.46 (95%CI, 1.046-2.555, p = 0.025) and 1.70 (95%CI, 1.244-2.339, p = 0.011), respectively. Strength training, stress, suicidal ideation, dining out frequency, and household income did not impact MetS prevalence. Despite obesity, MetS decreased by 29.7% with high aerobic PA and 37.9% with high weekly breakfast consumption frequency. In conclusion, MetS risk was higher for men, individuals with depression, and high-school students. Low aerobic activity, high calorie intake, and low weekly breakfast consumption frequency increased MetS risk. Despite obesity, high aerobic activity, low sedentary time, and breakfast consumption was associated with lower MetS risk.

Depression is a risk factor for metabolic syndrome: Results from the ELSA-Brasil cohort study

INTRODUCTION

Metabolic Syndrome (MetS) and depression comorbidity has been recognized, but its directionality is still uncertain. The aims of this study was to assess the association between depression (diagnosis and severity) and MetS (components, diagnosis and trajectory) in the baseline and over a 4-year follow-up period.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

Baseline and follow-up data from 13,883 participants of the Brazilian Longitudinal Study of Adult Health were analyzed. The Clinical Interview Schedule Revised assessed depressive episode and its severity. MetS components and diagnosis were assessed according to the National Cholesterol Education Program Adult Treatment Panel III. Participants were grouped according to MetS trajectory as recovered, incident and persistent MetS. Logistic regression analysis was conducted estimating odds ratios (OR) and 95% confidence intervals (95%CI).

RESULTS

Baseline depression was positively associated with recovered (OR = 1.59, 95%CI 1.18-2.14), incident (OR = 1.45, 95%CI 1.09-1.91) and persistent (OR = 1.70, 95%CI 1.39-2.07) MetS. Baseline depression was also associated with large waist circumference (OR = 1.47, 95%CI 1.23-1.75), high triglycerides (OR = 1.23, 95%CI 1.02-1.49), low high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (OR = 1.30, 95%CI 1.08-1.56), and hyperglycemia (OR = 1.38, 95%CI 1.15-1.66) at follow-up. Having three or more MetS components at follow-up was associated with baseline depression, with a positive dose-response effect (OR = 1.77, 95%CI 1.29-2.43; OR = 1.79, 95%CI 1.26-2.54; OR = 2.27, 95%CI 1.50-3.46, respectively). The magnitude of associations was greater in severe depression, when compared to moderate and mild.

DISCUSSION

These results support that depression is a risk factor for the development of MetS and highlights the need to follow metabolic and cardiovascular alterations in the presence of depression.

Clinical symptoms, thyroid dysfunction, and metabolic disturbances in first-episode drug-naïve major depressive disorder patients with suicide attempts: A network perspective

BACKGROUNDS

Co-occurrence of thyroid dysfunction, metabolic disturbances, and worsening clinical symptoms in major depressive disorder (MDD) patients with suicidal attempts (SA) are common. However, their relationship in SA patients remains unexplored. We aimed to (1) determine the independent association of thyroid dysfunction, clinical symptoms, and metabolic disturbances with SA; and (2) identify their interactions in SA patients via the network approach.

METHODS

1718 FEDN MDD patients were recruited. Depressive, anxiety, and psychotic symptoms were assessed by the Hamilton Rating Scale for Depression (HAMD), the Hamilton Rating Scale for Anxiety (HAMA), and the Positive and Negative Syndrome Subscale positive subscale, respectively. The serum levels of thyroid hormones and other metabolic parameters were assessed. Logistic regression model was applied to determine the correlates of SA. Network analysis was applied to determine the interaction between thyroid dysfunction, clinical symptoms, and metabolic disturbances.

RESULTS

SA patients had significant worse metabolic disturbances, thyroid dysfunction, and clinical symptoms than non-SA patients. Thyroid peroxidases antibody, thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH), HAMD scores, HAMA scores, and systolic blood pressure was independently associated with SA. Network analysis suggested that TSH was the hub of the network, exhibiting substantial associations with metabolic disturbances, anxiety, and psychotic symptoms in SA patients.

CONCLUSIONS

Our work highlights the predominant role of serum TSH levels in the pathophysiology of SA. Regular thyroid function tests might help early detect SA. Targeting increased TSH levels may help reduce metabolic disturbances and clinical symptoms in SA patients.

Polygenic risk scores for neuropsychiatric, inflammatory, and cardio-metabolic traits highlight possible genetic overlap with suicide attempt and treatment-emergent suicidal ideation

Suicide is the second cause of death among youths. Genetics may contribute to suicidal phenotypes and their co-occurrence in other neuropsychiatric and medical conditions. Our study aimed to investigate the association of polygenic risk scores (PRSs) for 24 neuropsychiatric, inflammatory, and cardio-metabolic traits/diseases with suicide attempt (SA) or treatment-worsening/emergent suicidal ideation (TWESI). PRSs were computed based on summary statistics of genome-wide association studies. Regression analyses were performed between PRSs and SA or TWESI in four clinical cohorts. Results were then meta-analyzed across samples, including a total of 688 patients with SA (N_eff  = 2,258) and 214 with TWESI (N_eff  = 785). Stratified genetic covariance analyses were performed to investigate functionally cross-phenotype PRS associations. After Bonferroni correction, PRS for major depressive disorder (MDD) was associated with SA (OR = 1.24; 95% CI = 1.11-1.38; p = 1.73 × 10^-4 ). Nominal associations were shown between PRSs for coronary artery disease (CAD) (p = 4.6 × 10^-3 ), loneliness (p = .009), or chronic pain (p = .016) and SA, PRSs for MDD or CAD and TWESI (p = .043 and p = .032, respectively). Genetic covariance between MDD and SA was shown in 86 gene sets related to drugs having antisuicidal effects. A higher genetic liability for MDD may underlie a higher SA risk. Further, but milder, possible modulatory factors are genetic risk for loneliness and CAD.

The relationship between depression and risk of metabolic syndrome: a meta-analysis of observational studies

INTRODUCTION

The link between metabolic syndrome and depression has always been controversial. Different studies that have examined the relationship between metabolic syndrome and depression have reported different results. Therefore, the goal of the present study was to examine the association between depression and MetS by meta-analysis.

METHODS

Embase, Scopus, PubMed, and ISI were searched for publications in English from January 1990 to February 2020. Search included cohort and cross-sectional studies aimed at examining the association between depression and MetS. The risk of bias was assessed by Newcastle-Ottawa Scale. Heterogeneity and publication bias were tested, subgroup analysis and meta-regression were conducted.

RESULTS

49 studies with total sample size 399,494 were analyzed. Results indicated the odds of MetS was higher in depressed compared to non-depressed individuals [OR: 1.48; 95 %CI: 1.33-1.64) vs. (OR: 1.38; 95 %CI: 1.17-1.64)]. For cross-sectional studies, depressed patients in Europe (OR = 1.35; 95 %CI: 1.47-1.99) were at higher odds of MetS compared to those in America and Asia. For cohort studies, depressed patients in America (OR = 1.46; 95 %CI: 1.16-1.84) were at higher odds of MetS than those in Europe. Cross-sectional studies indicated women with depression were at higher odds of MetS (OR = 1.95; 95 %CI: 1.38-2.74) compared to men. In both types of studies, the odds of MetS decreased with age.

CONCLUSIONS

Metabolic syndrome is more common in depressed compared to non-depressed individuals.

Association of Depression with Metabolic Syndrome in Highly Educated Ethnic Koreans of China: A Case-Control Study

BACKGROUND

Ethnic Koreans in China are a distinct minority group. Highly educated populations are at high risk of depression. The aim of this study was to explore the associations of depression and metabolic syndrome (MS) in highly educated ethnic Koreans in China, and determine whether the associations were dependent on gender.

METHODS

From March 11th to 27th 2017, the natural population of 18-70 year olds was continuously screened at Yanbian Korean Autonomous Region. Those who met the inclusion criteria were invited to complete Zung Self-Rating Depression Scale (SDS). The people with SDS >53 were assigned to depression group and those with SDS ≤ 53 were assigned to the control group. Demographic characteristics, clinical factors, life-style factors and family history were collected and compared. Besides, associations of depression with MS and its components were estimated by Spearman correlation analysis and logistic regression analysis.

RESULTS

The depression group included 367 highly educated ethnic Koreans with depression status and the control group consisted of 388 age-, education-, and gender-matched ethnic Koreans without depression. A significantly higher prevalence of MS was observed in males and females with depression status relative to the control subjects (males, 28.5% vs 6.3%, X² = 16.162, P-value < 0.001; females, 33.0% vs 7.5%, X² = 57.896, P-value < 0.001). Depression status was positively correlated with MS in males (r = 0.311, P-value < 0.01) and females (r = 0.332, P-value < 0.01). After adjusting for potential confounding factors, mild and moderate depression statuses were found to be significantly associated with MS development in male and female ethnic Koreans, respectively.

CONCLUSION

Our findings suggest a close link between depression and MS independent of gender in highly educated ethnic Koreans of China.

Potential metabolic monitoring indicators of suicide attempts in first episode and drug naive young patients with major depressive disorder: a cross-sectional study

BACKGROUNDS

Major depressive disorder is an ordinary mental disorder, and suicide is considered to be a major concern among patients with MDD. Previous studies focused on the relationship between suicide attempts and metabolism in elderly patients with MDD, while ignore the young people. The aim of this study is to find the potential relationship between suicide attempts and metabolism in young patients with MDD to find a way to prevent and ultimately reduce suicide in young patients with MDD.

METHODS

Cross-sectional design was employed in the study.740 patients aged between 18 and 45 years old with MDD had been consecutively recruited in this study between 2011 and 2017, 128 of whom had suicide attempts. Their serum samples used to monitor fasting blood glucose, serum lipids as well as socio-demographic characteristics were collected. Besides, some clinical scales were also employed to measure symptoms of anxiety, depression and other conditions.

RESULTS

This study indicated that compared with non-suicide attempters, suicide attempters in young patients with MDD showed higher levels of FBG, TC, LDL-C (all p <  0.05) and lower levels of HDL-C(p <  0.001). Further logistic regression analysis suggested that suicide attempts were associated with increased FBG, decreased HDL-C, the course of disease, HAMD scores and obvious anxiety.

CONCLUSIONS

Suicide attempts in young patients with MDD may be predicted by metabolic levels in the future. And our findings suggested that the level of FBG and HDL-C can be promising biomarkers to predict the occurrence of this event.

Dorsolateral and ventrolateral prefrontal cortex structural changes relative to suicidal ideation in patients with depression

The prefrontal cortex (PFC) is enormously important in suicide and major depressive disorder (MDD). However, little is known about the structural alterations in the brains of people with MDD and suicidal ideation. We examined the gray matter volume (GMV) of the PFC of individuals with MDD and suicidal ideation to determine if PFC volumetric differences contribute to suicidal ideation in patients with MDD. Thirty-five subjects with MDD and suicidal ideation, 38 subjects with MDD but without suicidal ideation, and 43 age- and gender-matched healthy control (HC) subjects underwent T1-weighted imaging. A voxel-based morphometric analysis was conducted to compare the PFC GMVs of the three groups. Further GMV reductions in the left and right dorsolateral PFC (DLPFC) and right ventrolateral PFC (VLPFC) were detected in the MDD with suicidal ideation group compared with those in the HC group and the MDD without suicidal ideation group, whereas the MDD without suicidal ideation group only exhibited significant differences in the left DLPFC relative to the HC group. Our findings demonstrated that left DLPFC reductions were associated with MDD and suicidal ideation, and diminished GMV reductions in the right DLPFC and right VLPFC were only associated with suicidal ideation. These results help us better understand the neuropathological changes in MDD with suicidal ideation.