Metabolic syndrome in subjects with bipolar disorder and major depressive disorder in a current depressive episode: Population-based study: Metabolic syndrome in current depressive episode

ObjectiveTo assess the differences in the prevalence of the metabolic syndrome (MetS) and their components in young adults with bipolar disorder (BD) and major depressive disorder (MDD) in a current depressive episode.MethodsThis was a cross-sectional study with young adults aged 24–30 years old. Depressive episode (bipolar or unipolar) was assessed using the Mini International Neuropsychiatric Interview – Plus version (MINI Plus). The MetS was assessed using the National Cholesterol Education Program Adult Treatment Panel III (NCEP/ATP III).ResultsThe sample included 972 subjects with a mean age of 25.81 (±2.17) years. Both BD and MDD patients showed higher prevalence of MetS compared to the population sample (BD = 46.9%, MDD = 35.1%, population = 22.1%, p < 0.001). Higher levels of glucose, total cholesterol and LDL cholesterol, Body Mass Index, low levels of HDL cholesterol, and a higher prevalence of abdominal obesity were observed in both BD and MDD individuals with current depressive episode compared to the general population. Moreover, there was a significant difference on BMI values in the case of BD and MDD subjects (p = 0.016).ConclusionMetabolic components were significantly associated with the presence of depressive symptoms, independently of the diagnosis.