Are Lipid Profile, Body Mass Index, Waist Circumference, and Blood Pressure of Depressed Elderly Patients Different from Healthy Subjects?

Abstract

Background: Depression and obesity are among the increasingly publicized health problems,
both being related to critical complications, and increasing the risk of substantial morbidity and
mortality. An increasing number of documents indicate that obesity affects mental status, low
serum cholesterol levels, and is related to depressive symptoms. The purpose of the present study
was to evaluate the possible significant difference in lipid profile levels, body mass index (BMI),
waist circumference (WC), and blood pressure (BP), between depressive and nondepressive older
adults.

Methods: This was a case–control study where 107 patients, over 65‑year‑old, were enrolled in this study. Serum total cholesterol, high‑density lipoprotein‑cholesterol, low‑density
lipoprotein‑cholesterol (LDL‑C), triglycerides (TG), BP, and fasting blood sugar were measured.
Data were analyzed using the statistical SPSS software version 22. Independent t‑test was used
to compare the results between the two groups and the Chi‑square test was used to compare
categorical variables. In addition, nonparametric Mann–Whitney test was used to evaluate the data.

Results: The depressive group showed significant lower BMI, WC, LDL‑C, and TG (P < 0.001,
P < 0.001, P < 0.016, and P < 0.014). Furthermore, the findings showed significantly higher systolic
and diastolic BP in participants who had shown depressive symptoms (P < 0.035 and P < 0.024).

Conclusions: The findings suggest that a low BMI, serum LDL‑C, and TG are related to depressive
symptoms the Iranian elderly.

Keywords: Aged, blood pressure, body mass index, cholesterol, depression