Prevalence and factors associated with metabolic syndrome in first hospitalization for major depression disorder patients

Major depressive disorder (MDD) is a common and socially burdensome psychiatric disorder with a causal and complex relationship with metabolic syndrome (MetS), which is often co-morbid. However, the prevalence and risk factors for MetS in patients with MDD are inconclusive. The purpose of this study is to investigate the prevalence and factors influencing MetS in first hospitalization MDD patients. A total of 981 MDD patients were included. Sociodemographic and general clinical data were collected from the patients, while metabolism-related parameters were also measured, and psychological symptoms were assessed. Our study found that the prevalence of MetS in the study population was 9.68%. MDD patients with MetS had higher levels of metabolism-related parameters and more severe psychological symptoms. We identified risk factors for MetS and its severity separately: age of onset of MDD, more severe depressive symptoms, and higher thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) levels were risk factors for the development of MetS, whereas higher TSH levels were risk factors for the severity of MetS. Our results suggest that MetS is not highly prevalent in MDD patients, but certain risk factors may increase its likelihood and severity, and that these findings could be beneficial for clinical intervention and care of MetS.