BACKGROUND: Metabolic syndrome might explain the relationship between depression and cardiovascular disease. AIM: 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. CONCLUSION: 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.
BACKGROUND:Metabolic syndrome might explain the relationship between depression and cardiovascular disease. AIM: 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 depressedpersons with hypercortisolemia. There seems to be a vicious cycle between depressive symptoms and visceral fat. CONCLUSION: Early detection of metabolic disturbances in depressedpatients 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.