Comparison of fasting blood sugar and lipid profile in obese/overweight patients with and without depression

Abstract

Background & Aims: Obesity and depression have a two-way relationship, but the association remains inconclusive. Hyperglycemia and dyslipidemia may be a possible explanation for these inconsistencies. Accordingly, this study aimed to compare fasting blood sugar (FBS) and lipid profiles in obese/overweight patients with and without depression. Materials & Methods: This case-control study was conducted on 260 obese/overweight patients with (case: 130) and without depressive symptoms (control: 130). Beck's depression questionnaire was used to determine the depression status of the participants. High-density lipoprotein (HDL) and triglycerides (TG) were measured using a spectrophotometric method. Fasting blood sugar (FBS) was measured using the glucose oxidase method. All variables are expressed as means ± SD. Comparisons between the study groups were carried out using the Independent-Samples T-Test. Results: There was no statistically significant difference in body mass index (BMI) (p > 0.360), waist circumference (WC) (p > 0.140), systolic blood pressure (SBP) (p > 0.672), diastolic blood pressure (DBP) (p > 0.757), HDL-CC (p > 0.223), or TG (p > 0.658) in obese/overweight patients with and without depression. After adjusting for age, BMI, sex, marital status and educational level obese patients with depression had significantly higher FBS compared to obese patients without depression (p < 0.03). However, more and larger studies are needed to examine the relationship between depression and FBS. Conclusion: The association between FBS and the two-way relationship between obesity and depression may be explained by metabolic factors.

Keywords

• depression
• fasting blood sugar
• lipid profile
• obesity