Cardiovascular risk factors and major depressive disorder: a cross-sectional study in São Paulo, Brazil

• Main Author: Bivanco-Lima, Danielle
• Publication Date: 2021
• Other Authors: Santos, Itamar de Souza, Wang, Yuan-Pang, Viana, Maria Carmen, Andrade, Laura Helena, Lotufo, Paulo Andrade, Benseñor, Isabela Judith Martins
• Format: Article
• Language: eng
• Source: São Paulo medical journal (Online)
• Download full: https://periodicosapm.emnuvens.com.br/spmj/article/view/463
• topic: Depression; Risk factors; Cardiovascular diseases; Depressive disorder, major; Depressive disorders

BACKGROUND: Cardiovascular risk factors can mediate the association between depression and cardio-vascular diseases. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate cardiovascular risk factors in adult individuals with and without histories of major depression in the metropolitan region of São Paulo, Brazil. DESIGN AND SETTING: Cross-sectional study in São Paulo (SP), Brazil. METHODS: This study evaluated 423 individuals without any lifetime diagnosis of major depression and 203 individuals with a previous diagnosis of major depression (n = 626). The participants underwent a psychiatric evaluation using a structured clinical interview (SCID-1), an anthropometric evaluation and a clinical evaluation that included blood pressure measurement and assessment of fasting blood glucose, lipid profile and physical activity levels. RESULTS: Individuals with histories of major depression were more likely to be female (P < 0.0001). Individuals with lifetime diagnoses of major depression were more likely to be current smokers (odds ratio, OR 1.61; 95% confidence interval, CI 1.01-2.59) and to have diabetes (OR 1.79; 95% CI 1.01-3.21); and less likely to be obese (OR 0.58; 95% CI 0.35-0.94). CONCLUSION: Individuals with major depression had higher odds of presenting tobacco smoking and diabetes, and lower odds of being obese. Healthcare professionals need to be aware of this, so as to increase the rates of diagnosis and treatment in this population.