title: Both body weight and BMI predicts improvement in symptom and functioning for patients with major depressive disorder.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Obesity has shown a positive association with depression. We aimed to investigate the relationships among body weight, body mass index (BMI=kg/m(2)), change in a depression rating scale, and change in a functional scale with fluoxetine treatment for hospitalized patients with major depressive disorder (MDD).
  
  
  METHODS
  A total of 131 acutely ill inpatients with MDD were enrolled to receive 20mg of fluoxetine daily for 6 weeks. The 17-item Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (HAMD-17) for symptom and the Work and Social Adjustment Scale (WSAS) for functioning were assessed at weeks 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, and 6. Remission was defined as a score of≤7 on the HAMD-17 at endpoint. Body weight, body length, and BMI were measured at baseline. Pearson correlation coefficients (r) were calculated among body weight, BMI, HAMD-17 score change, and WSAS score change.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Of the 131 participants, 126 (96.2%) had at least one post-baseline assessment and were included in the analysis. Significant differences in body weight and BMI existed between remitters and nonremitters. There were statistically significant relationships among baseline body weight, baseline BMI, HAMD-17 score change, and WSAS score change at end point.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This is a short-term trial with relatively small sample size.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Nonremitters had greater body weight and BMI before treatment. Increased body weight and BMI is correlated with the decreased improvement in symptom and functioning at end point. Depression and obesity should be treated concurrently to optimize clinical outcomes for the treatment of depression.
authors.affiliation: Kaohsiung Municipal Kai-Syuan Psychiatric Hospital, Kaohsiung, Taiwan; Department of Psychiatry, Faculty of Medicine, College of Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung, Taiwan.
authors.forename: Ching-Hua
authors.initials: CH
authors.lastname: Lin
authors.affiliation: Kaohsiung Municipal Kai-Syuan Psychiatric Hospital, Kaohsiung, Taiwan; Department of Psychiatry, Faculty of Medicine, College of Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung, Taiwan.
authors.forename: Cheng-Chung
authors.initials: CC
authors.lastname: Chen
authors.affiliation: Center for Innovative Technologies and Public Health, Toronto, Canada.
authors.forename: Julielynn
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Wong
authors.affiliation: Mood Disorders Psychopharmacology Unit, University Health Network, University of Toronto, 399 Bathurst Street, Toronto, ON, Canada, M5T-2S8. Electronic address: roger.mcintyre@uhn.ca.
authors.forename: Roger S
authors.initials: RS
authors.lastname: McIntyre
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D018687:Antidepressive Agents, Second-Generation / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D015992:Body Mass Index; D001835:Body Weight; D003865:Major Depressive Disorder / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy*; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D005260:Female; D005473:Fluoxetine / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009765:Obesity / Q000150:complications / Q000523:psychology; D011379:Prognosis
chemical_list: D018687:Antidepressive Agents, Second-Generation; D005473:Fluoxetine
keywords: 17-item hamilton depression rating scale; Body mass index; Body weight; Major depressive disorder; Work and social adjustment scale