Depressive symptoms in older people with metabolic syndrome: is there a relationship with inflammation?
OBJECTIVE
To investigate if there is a higher prevalence of depressive symptoms in older people with metabolic syndrome (MetS) compared with those without and whether dedpressive symptoms are independently associated to MetS and its single components and to the inflammatory markers.


METHODS
Physical parameters, standard blood analytes, high sensitivity C-reactive protein (hsCRP) and erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) were assessed. Fifteen-item Geriatric Depression Scale and mini mental state examination (MMSE) were administered.


RESULTS
One hundred thirty-three subjects were enrolled. MetS patients (57) exhibited higher prevalence of depressive symptoms (p < 0.0001), worse cognitive function (p < 0.0001), and higher levels of ESR and hsCRP were higher (p < 0.0001). The univariate analysis showed a linear strong correlation of depressive symptoms (p < 0.0001) with the MMSE score (r = -0.422), body mass index (r = 0.414), MetS (r = 0.582), number of MetS components (r = 0.663), fasting blood glucose (r = 0.565), ESR (r = 0.565), hsCRP (r = 0.745), central obesity (r = 0.269; p = 0.002), and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (r = -0.241; p = 0.005). However, the multivariate analysis showed that only age (B = -0.093; p = 0.032), MetS (B = 1.446; p = 0.025), fasting blood glucose (B = 0.039; p = 0.005), and hsCRP (B = 7.649; p < 0.0001) were independently associated with depressive symptoms.


CONCLUSIONS
MetS and inflammation are independently associated with depressive symptoms in older people. Inflammation may explain cognitive decline too. Further investigations are needed to better understand the direction of these associations and to determine whether these can be reversible.
Predictive Medicine Unit, Department of Cardiovascular, Respiratory, Nephrologic and Geriatric Sciences, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy. giovanni.viscogliosi@libero.it
Giovanni
G
Viscogliosi
Paola
P
Andreozzi
Iulia Maria
IM
Chiriac
Elisa
E
Cipriani
Adriana
A
Servello
Benedetta
B
Marigliano
Evaristo
E
Ettorre
Vincenzo
V
Marigliano
D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000097:blood; D001799:Blood Sedimentation; D002097:C-Reactive Protein / Q000032:analysis; D003071:Cognition / Q000502:physiology; D003866:Depressive Disorder / Q000097:blood / Q000453:epidemiology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007249:Inflammation / Q000097:blood / Q000523:psychology; D008297:Male; D024821:Metabolic Syndrome / Q000097:blood / Q000523:psychology*; D008875:Middle Aged; D015999:Multivariate Analysis; D015995:Prevalence; D011569:Psychiatric Status Rating Scales
D015415:Biomarkers; D002097:C-Reactive Protein