Castelli risk indexes 1 and 2 are higher in major depression but other characteristics of the metabolic syndrome are not specific to mood disorders.

Abstract

AIMS:

This study examined whether Castelli risk indexes 1 (total/high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol) and 2 (low density lipoprotein (LDL)/HDL cholesterol) and other shared metabolic disorders might underpin the pathophysiology of the metabolic syndrome, major depression or bipolar disorder.

MAIN METHODS:

This cross-sectional study examined 92 major depressed, 49 bipolar depressed and 201 normal controls in whom the Castelli risk indexes 1 and 2 and key characteristics of the metabolic syndrome, i.e. waist/hip circumference, body mass index (BMI), systolic/diastolic blood pressure, total cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein (LDL) and HDL cholesterol, triglycerides, insulin, glucose, hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) and homocysteine were assessed.

KEY FINDINGS:

Castelli risk indexes 1 and 2 were significantly higher in major depressed patients than in bipolar disorder patients and controls. There were no significant differences in waist or hip circumference, total and LDL cholesterol, triglycerides, plasma glucose, insulin, homocysteine and HbA1c between depression and bipolar patients and controls. Bipolar patients had a significantly higher BMI than major depressed patients and normal controls.

SIGNIFICANCE:

Major depression is accompanied by increased Castelli risk indexes 1 and 2, which may be risk factors for cardiovascular disease. Other key characteristics of the metabolic syndrome, either metabolic biomarkers or central obesity, are not necessarily specific to major depression or bipolar disorder.

• Authors: Heber Odebrecht Vargas, Sandra Odebrecht Vargas Nunes, Décio Sabbatini Barbosa, Mateus Mendonca Vargas, Ariane Cestari, Seetal Dodd, Kamalesh Venugopal, Michael Maes, Michael Berk
• Journal: Life sciences (Life Sci) Vol. 102 Issue 1 Pg. 65-71 (Apr 25 2014) ISSN: 1879-0631 [Electronic] Netherlands
• PMID: 24607777 (Publication Type: Journal Article, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't)
• Copyright: Copyright © 2014 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Chemical References

• Cholesterol, HDL
• Cholesterol, LDL
• Cholesterol

Topics

• Adolescent
• Adult
• Bipolar Disorder (complications)
• Body Mass Index
• Cardiovascular Diseases (epidemiology, etiology)
• Case-Control Studies
• Cholesterol (blood)
• Cholesterol, HDL (blood)
• Cholesterol, LDL (blood)
• Cross-Sectional Studies
• Depressive Disorder, Major (complications)
• Female
• Humans
• Male
• Metabolic Syndrome (epidemiology, etiology, physiopathology)
• Middle Aged
• Risk Factors
• Young Adult