title: Metabolic syndrome and depression: a cross-sectional analysis.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To examine the prevalence of the metabolic syndrome in depressive outpatients and to identify its correlates in depression.
  
  
  METHODS
  This cross-sectional analysis was performed on 121 depressive outpatients from January 2002 through January 2004 who were diagnosed at baseline with the Structured Clinical Interview for DSM-III-R. The metabolic syndrome was diagnosed at 6-year follow-up according to the modified criteria of the National Cholesterol Education Program. The severity of depressive symptoms was assessed at follow-up with the Beck Depression Inventory and the Hamilton Rating Scale for Depression, and general psychopathology was assessed with the Symptom Checklist-90.
  
  
  RESULTS
  At 6-year follow-up, the prevalence of metabolic syndrome in the study group of depressive outpatients was 36% (N = 44). The syndrome was associated with a current diagnosis of major depression and overeating, but not with age or sex.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The metabolic syndrome is highly prevalent among patients with a history of depression, especially those with current major depression. This may have implications for treatment. Furthermore, attention should be focused on the physical health of those suffering from depression.
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychiatry, Kuopio University Hospital, Kuopio, Finland. tuula.heiskanen@kuh.fi
authors.forename: Tuula H
authors.initials: TH
authors.lastname: Heiskanen
authors.forename: Leo K
authors.initials: LK
authors.lastname: Niskanen
authors.forename: Jukka J
authors.initials: JJ
authors.lastname: Hintikka
authors.forename: Heli T
authors.initials: HT
authors.lastname: Koivumaa-Honkanen
authors.forename: Kirsi M
authors.initials: KM
authors.lastname: Honkalampi
authors.forename: Kaisa M
authors.initials: KM
authors.lastname: Haatainen
authors.forename: Heimo T
authors.initials: HT
authors.lastname: Viinamäki
mesh_terms: D000367:Age Factors; D000553:Ambulatory Care; D015897:Comorbidity; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D003866:Depressive Disorder / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000453:epidemiology*; D003865:Major Depressive Disorder / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology; D039721:Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders; D005260:Female; D005387:Finland / Q000453:epidemiology; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D008297:Male; D024821:Metabolic Syndrome / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000453:epidemiology*; D008875:Middle Aged; D010555:Personality Inventory / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D015995:Prevalence; D011569:Psychiatric Status Rating Scales / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D012307:Risk Factors; D012737:Sex Factors