title: [Depressive symptoms, cortisol, visceral fat and metabolic syndrome].
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Metabolic syndrome might explain the relationship between depression and cardiovascular disease.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To examine the (longitudinal) relationship between depressive symptoms, cortisol and metabolic syndrome, especially visceral fat.
  
  
  METHODS
  Our study derives data on depressive symptoms, cortisol, visceral fat and metabolic syndrome obtained from three different cohorts of older persons (Inchianti, lasa, Health abc).
  
  
  RESULTS
  Metabolic dysregulation, especially in relation to fat occurs mainly in depressed persons with hypercortisolemia. There seems to be a vicious cycle between depressive symptoms and visceral fat.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Early detection of metabolic disturbances in depressed patients might prevent cardiovascular outcomes. Future research should investigate whether the treatment of depression could positively influence metabolic syndrome, and whether, conversely, the treatment of metabolic syndrome could relieve depression.
authors: VU Medisch Centrum, Amsterdam. n.vogelzangs@ggzingeest.nl
authors: N
authors: N
authors: Vogelzangs
authors: B W J H
authors: BW
authors: Penninx
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D002318:Cardiovascular Diseases / Q000517:prevention & control; D015331:Cohort Studies; D015897:Comorbidity; D003866:Depressive Disorder / Q000097:blood / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000378:metabolism; D006801:Humans; D006854:Hydrocortisone / Q000097:blood*; D050152:Intra-Abdominal Fat / Q000378:metabolism*; D024821:Metabolic Syndrome / Q000097:blood / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000378:metabolism; D015995:Prevalence
chemical_list: D006854:Hydrocortisone