Metabolic

Increased symptoms of depression related to insulin resistance

Increased symptoms of depression are related to insulin resistance, which is measured by stationary plasma glucoseAccording to a study presented in a poster at the American Psychiatric Association’s annual annual meeting in 2021.

“This is broadly consistent with our previous finding that indirect measurements of insulin resistance (IR) in individuals with current major depression are positively associated with depression severity,” wrote Stacie Ong, BA, of Stanford University School of Medicine, California, and Co. researchers.

The researchers collected BMI and metabolic data from 96 overweight or obese adults without clinical depression or type 2 diabetes to investigate the relationship between depressive symptoms and insulin resistance. Participants, ages 23 to 51, were split based on depressive symptoms. Symptoms were rated using the Hamilton Depression Rating Scale 17-Item and used to separate participants with scores of 8 or more and participants with scores of less than 8.

Of the 96 participants, 80 had points of less than 8 and 16 points of 8 or more.

Researchers measured sTeady-state plasma glucose concentration shown during an insulin suppression test to assess insulin resistance in each participant. They rated physical activity using the International Physical Activity Questionnaire and calculated a multiple of the resting metabolic rate.

Participants with a score of 8 or more on the Hamilton Depression Rating Scale 17-item had lower resting metabolic rates and higher steady-state plasma glucose concentrations than participants less than 8th age, BMI, physical activity, age and gender drawn to adjust these results. Age, BMI, inactivity, and a score of 8 or more on the Hamilton Depression Rating Scale 17-item were associated with higher concentrations of stationary plasma glucose.

The researchers suggest that further longitudinal studies are needed to determine whether body mass index and inactivity contribute to higher insulin resistance rates in participants with increased depressive symptoms.

“Future studies could investigate mediators of the relationship between IR (insulin resistance) and depressive symptoms,” concluded Ong et al.

– –Erin McGuinness

reference

Ong S., Abbasi F., Watson K., Myoraku A., Rasgon N. Insulin resistance, body mass index and physical activity in persons with depressive symptoms. Poster Presented at the American Psychiatric Association Annual Meeting; 1-3. May 2021; Virtual.

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