| Background: There is evidence for a bidirectional association between obesity and depression,
and obesity is the main risk factor for metabolic syndrome (MetS). This study aimed to compare
oxidative stress and MetS features between depressed and non-depressed obese women and
study the association of depressive symptoms, oxidative stress, and components of MetS.
Methods: In this case-control study conducted in Tabriz (East Azarbaijan, Iran), obese women
(body mass index [BMI]: 30-40 kg/m2) with a primary diagnosis of major depressive disorder
(MDD; based on diagnostic interview with a psychiatrist; n = 75) and their age-matched nondepressed
controls (n = 150) were enrolled. Beck Depression Inventory-version II (BDI-II)
was used to assess depressive symptoms in both groups. Anthropometric parameters, blood
pressure, fasting blood sugar (FBS), lipid profile and malondialdehyde (MDA) were measured.
Results: No significant differences in anthropometric parameters and blood pressure were
observed between the two groups. However, FBS of the MDD group was significantly higher
than the control (P < 0.05). FBS was significantly correlated with BDI-II scores (r = 0.158,
P = 0.017). No significant difference in lipid profile was observed between the groups. Serum
MDA level was significantly lower in the MDD group and was inversely associated with BDI-II
scores (r = -0.328, P < 0.001). Overall, MDD was not significantly associated with MetS in our
study (OR = 0.848, 95% CI: 0.484, 1.487; P = 0.566).
Conclusion: Although we found a correlation between higher depressive symptoms and some
adverse metabolic outcomes, our findings do not support a significant association between
MDD and MetS. |