Evaluation of metabolic syndrome in young depressive psychiatric outpatients

Abstract

Objectives: Metabolic syndrome is a highly prevalent disorder among the general population. Studies show an even higher prevalence among psychiatric patients. Cardiovascular disease is one of the most prevalent factors responsible for excess mortality in depression. Metabolic syndrome is associated with the development of coronary heart disease and diabetes mellitus. The objective of this study was to evaluate the prevalence of Metabolic syndrome in young depression psychiatric outpatients. Methods: 30 depressive outpatients of both sex in the age group of 20-40yrs and 28 heathy, age and sex matched controls were selected and evaluated according to the National Cholesterol Education Program criteria for metabolic syndrome, with a modification of the criteria for blood pressure and fasting glucose. Results: Except fasting blood sugar (p = 0.415) and systolic blood pressure (p = 0.132), all other parameters like, total cholesterol (p = 0.009), HDL (p = 0.0001), LDL (p = 0.001) VLDL (p = 0.002) cholesterols, triacylglycerol (p = 0.002), waist circumference (p = 0.003) and diastolic blood pressure (p = 0.002) measured in depressive patients were found to be increased and statistically highly significant than controls. Conclusions: This study shows an increased prevalence of Metabolic syndrome in depression psychiatric outpatients than controls associated with the development of coronary heart disease and diabetes mellitus. The aim of this study was to evaluate the prevalence of Metabolic syndrome in depression psychiatric outpatients.