Association of Inflammatory and Liver Markers with Cardiometabolic Risk Factors in Patients with Depression

Can Gamma-glutamyl Transferase Predict Unhealthy Metabolic Phenotypes Among Healthcare Workers in Azar Cohort Study?

Background: Although various studies have assessed the correlation between gamma-glutamyl transferase (GGT) and cardiometabolic risk factors in obesity, no research has differentiated among metabolically-healthy obese (MHO) and metabolically unhealthy obese (MUHO), metabolically-healthy lean (MHL), and metabolically-unhealthy lean (MUHL). Objectives: Accordingly, this study evaluated the correlation between GGT and cardiometabolic phenotypes among healthcare workers. Methods: In this study, there were anthropometric measurements as well as the measurements of fasting blood sugar (FBS), GGT, cholesterol, triglyceride (TG), high lipoprotein density (HDL), and blood pressure in 1458 healthcare workers enrolled in the Azar Cohort Study. Metabolic syndrome (MetS) was defined according to the National Cholesterol Education Program Adult Treatment Panel III (ATP III). Accordingly, the participants were divided into four cardiometabolic phenotypes. Results: In this cross-sectional study, there was a significant difference in the prevalence of cardiometabolic phenotypes regarding the GGT tertiles (P ≤ 0.001). The highest prevalence of MHO was observed in the third GGT tertile. The mean waist circumference, TG, FBS, HDL, and systolic and diastolic blood pressure levels increased in the MHO, MUHO, and MHL groups in a dose dependent manner with an increase in the GGT tertiles (P < 0.05). In comparing the highest and lowest GGT tertile, the risk of MHO and MUHO increased by 2.84 (95%CI 2.01 - 4.01) and 9.12 (95%CI 5.54 - 15), respectively. However, the correlation between the GGT tertile and MUHL did not reveal a similar trend. The ROC curve shows the cutoff value of 18.5 U/L for GGT, which allowed us to distinguish between the MUHO and MHO individuals. Conclusions: The findings revealed that GGT can indicate the risk of MetS as such, it can be used to detect at-risk MHO individuals and administer proper interventions.

Correlates of metabolic syndrome in patients with depression: A study from north-western India

BACKGROUND AND AIMS

Metabolic syndrome (MS) is found to be prevalent in patients with mental illness including depression. Data is sparse on the role of lifestyle factors on MS in depression.

METHODS

This study was aimed to assess correlates of MS in patients with depression.

METHODOLOGY

Three hundred eighty-two patients with depressive disorders were assessed for the prevalence of MS by using modified National Cholesterol Education Program- Adult Treatment Panel-III criteria (NCEP ATP-III). Their illness severity, functionality, physical activity and nutritional habits were also assessed.

CONCLUSIONS

Majority of patients with depression (82.2%) were drug naive. One-fourth of the patients had metabolic syndrome (27.7%). Additionally, other 59% of patients had one or two metabolic abnormalities and one-third of patients were obese. Lower high density lipoprotein cholesterol level was the most common abnormality (65%), while abnormal blood pressure was the least common abnormality (18%). Significant correlates of MS were greater age, and age at onset of depression, greater illness duration, lesser physical activity and lower nutritional score.

CONCLUSION

Nearly one-fourth of patients with depression had MS; another three-fifth of patients had one or two metabolic abnormalities. MS was more commonly seen with sedentary lifestyle and poor nutritional habits. It calls for comprehensive assessment and timely management of cardiovascular risk factors as well as lifestyle factors in depression.