Tien N, Wu TY, Lai JN, Lin CL, Hsiao YC, Khaw JY, Lim YP. Influences of antidepressant medications on the risk of developing hyperlipidemia in patients with depression by a population-based cohort study and on in vitro hepatic lipogenic-related gene expression.
J Affect Disord 2021;
295:271-283. [PMID:
34482059 DOI:
10.1016/j.jad.2021.08.041]
[Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/15/2021] [Revised: 08/18/2021] [Accepted: 08/20/2021] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND
Depression increases the risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD). The association between antidepressant medications (ADMs) and CVD remains controversial. Hyperlipidemia is a risk factor for CVD. We conducted a nationwide population-based retrospective cohort study to examine depression and ADM use on the risk of developing hyperlipidemia. The effects of ADMs on the expression of lipogenesis-related hepatic genes were also evaluated.
METHODS
We obtained data from the Longitudinal Health Insurance Database of Taiwan on patients with new-onset depression and a comparison cohort without depression. A Cox proportional hazards regression model was used to analyze the differences in the risk of developing hyperlipidemia between these two cohorts. We also examined the influence of ADMs on the expression of lipogenesis-related hepatic genes.
RESULTS
After adjustment for comorbidities and confounding factors, the case group (N = 38,322) had a higher risk for hyperlipidemia than that of the control cohort (N = 38,322) [adjusted hazards ratio (aHR) =1.16]. Patients with depression who did not receive ADM therapy exhibited a significantly higher risk of hyperlipidemia (aHR = 1.61). However, in patients with depression treated with ADMs, the risk of developing hyperlipidemia was significantly lowered compared to the patients without ADMs (all aHR < 0.81). Gene expression analysis indicated that ADMs downregulated the expression of lipogenesis-related hepatic genes.
LIMITATIONS
Unmeasured confounding risk factors for hyperlipidemia might not have been included in the study.
CONCLUSIONS
ADMs reduced hyperlipidemia risk in patients with depression, partly by downregulating the expression of lipogenesis-related genes and improving the patients' lipid profiles. Early diagnosis and management of hyperlipidemia would further facilitate the prevention of CVD.
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