Hypercortisolemic depression is associated with the metabolic syndrome in late-life

Nicole Vogelzangs, Kristen Suthers, Luigi Ferrucci, Eleanor M. Simonsick, Alessandro Ble, Matthew Schrager, Stefania Bandinelli, Fulvio Lauretani, Sandra V. Giannelli, Brenda W. Penninx

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

166 Scopus citations

Abstract

Introduction: Depression has been hypothesized to be associated with metabolic abnormalities which increase the risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD) and diabetes. Such a link could be due to increased HPA-axis activity. This study investigates the cross-sectional relationship between depression, urinary cortisol and metabolic syndrome in an older population. Methods: Data are from 867 participants of the InChianti Study, aged ≥65 years. Depressive symptoms were assessed using the CES-D scale; cortisol levels were determined in 24-h urine samples. Metabolic syndrome was defined as three or more of the following: abdominal obesity, high triglycerides, low HDL cholesterol, high blood pressure, and high fasting glucose. Results: Clinically relevant depressed mood (CES-D≥20) was present in 20.6% of the sample, and 24.5% had the metabolic syndrome. After adjustment for sociodemographics and health indicators, depression score (per SD increase: OR=1.20, 95% CI=1.02-1.41) and urinary cortisol level (per SD increase: OR=1.23, 95% CI=1.01-1.51) were significantly associated with presence of metabolic syndrome. There was, however, a significant interaction (p = 0.003) between depressed mood and urinary cortisol in the probability of having metabolic syndrome. The odds of metabolic syndrome in persons with both depressed mood and urinary cortisol excretion in the highest tertile was 1.84 (95% CI=1.02-3.34) compared to persons with neither condition. Discussion: This study suggests a synergistic relationship between depression, cortisol and metabolic syndrome. Hypercortisolemic depression may constitute a specific risk group for the metabolic syndrome.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)151-159
Number of pages9
JournalPsychoneuroendocrinology
Volume32
Issue number2
DOIs
StatePublished - Feb 2007
Externally publishedYes

Keywords

  • Cortisol
  • Depression
  • HPA-axis
  • Metabolic syndrome
  • Older persons

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Endocrinology, Diabetes and Metabolism
  • Endocrinology
  • Endocrine and Autonomic Systems
  • Psychiatry and Mental health
  • Biological Psychiatry

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Hypercortisolemic depression is associated with the metabolic syndrome in late-life'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this