Background: Metabolic syndrome (MetS) is a heterogeneous entity
represented by the coexistence of multiple alterations: abdominaladiposity, impaired glucose tolerance, hypertriglyceridemia, HDL
hypocolesterolemia and hypertension. Symptoms of anxiety and
depression are frequently comorbid with MetS. Aim of the present
study was to measure the association between symptoms of anxiety
and depression with the five criteria of MetS in outpatients attending
GPs' practices.
Method: This is a cross-sectional study, involving male and female
patients aged 40–80 attending five GPs' practices within one month
in Modena, Northern Italy approved by the local Ethical Committee.
All patients were screened for the presence of MetS and depressive/
anxiety symptoms, using the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale.
Exclusion criteria: age b40 or N80; use of antidepressants or
antipsychotics; previous stroke, heart attack or cardiovascular
disease; diagnosed psychotic or mood disorder (according to the
DSM-IV-TR); diabetes; pregnancy; hereditary disease linked to
obesity. All data were adjusted for socio-demographic confounders.
Multiple logistic analysis performed with STATA 13.0.
Results: 128 subjects were enrolled in the study (55 men and 73
women), 48 presented with MetS (ATP-III-Revised criteria). MetS
was associated with depression only in the female group (OR =6.33,
p= 0.01), also when adjusting for age (OR =5.13, p= 0.02). MetS
was not associated with anxiety in both males and females, and with
depression in men. Among the individual components of MetS,
only waist circumference was associated with anxiety in the female
group (OR=4.40, p=0.04) also when adjusting for age (OR=4.34,
p=0.04).
Conclusion: Women aged between 40 and 60, presenting with MetS
and attending the primary care services should been regularly
screened for the presence of depression. Chronic systemic inflammation
could represent the biological link between MetS and
psychological symptoms. Further researches are needed to better
clarify this possible relation
