Depressive disorder subtypes, depressive symptom clusters, and risk of obesity and diabetes: A systematic review

BACKGROUND

Overlapping but divided literatures suggest certain depression facets may pose greater obesity and diabetes risk than others. Our objectives were to integrate the major depressive disorder (MDD) subtype and depressive symptom cluster literatures and to clarify which facets are associated with the greatest cardiometabolic disease risk.

METHODS

We conducted a systematic review of published studies examining associations of ≥2 MDD subtypes or symptom clusters with obesity or diabetes risk outcomes. We report which facets the literature is "in favor" of (i.e., having the strongest or most consistent results).

RESULTS

Forty-five articles were included. Of the MDD subtype-obesity risk studies, 14 were in favor of atypical MDD, and 8 showed similar or null associations across subtypes. Of the symptom cluster-obesity risk studies, 5 were in favor of the somatic cluster, 1 was in favor of other clusters, and 5 were similar or null. Of the MDD subtype-diabetes risk studies, 7 were in favor of atypical MDD, 3 were in favor of other subtypes, and 5 were similar or null. Of the symptom cluster-diabetes risk studies, 7 were in favor of the somatic cluster, and 5 were similar or null.

LIMITATIONS

Limitations in study design, sample selection, variable measurement, and analytic approach in these literatures apply to this review.

CONCLUSIONS

Atypical MDD and the somatic cluster are most consistently associated with obesity and diabetes risk. Future research is needed to establish directionality and causality. Identifying the depression facets conferring the greatest risk could improve cardiometabolic disease risk stratification and prevention programs.

Depressive Symptoms Clusters and Insulin Resistance: Race/Ethnicity as a Moderator in 2005-2010 NHANES Data

BACKGROUND

Although depression has been linked to insulin resistance, few studies have examined depressive symptom clusters.

PURPOSE

We examined whether certain depressive symptom clusters are more strongly associated with insulin resistance in a nationally representative sample, and we evaluated potential moderators and mediators.

METHODS

Respondents were 4487 adults from NHANES 2005-2010. Depressive symptoms were measured with the Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9), and insulin resistance was indexed by the homeostatic model assessment (HOMA) score.

RESULTS

Positive relationships between PHQ-9 total, somatic, and cognitive-affective scores and HOMA score were detected (ps <0.001). In a simultaneous model, the somatic (p = 0.017), but not the cognitive-affective (p = 0.071), score remained associated with HOMA score. We observed evidence of (a) moderation by race/ethnicity (relationships stronger in non-Hispanic Whites) and (b) mediation by body mass and inflammation.

CONCLUSIONS

The depressive symptoms-insulin resistance link may be strongest among non-Hispanic Whites and may be driven slightly more by the somatic symptoms.