Both body weight and BMI predicts improvement in symptom and functioning for patients with major depressive disorder.

Abstract

BACKGROUND:

Obesity has shown a positive association with depression. We aimed to investigate the relationships among body weight, body mass index (BMI=kg/m(2)), change in a depression rating scale, and change in a functional scale with fluoxetine treatment for hospitalized patients with major depressive disorder (MDD).

METHODS:

A total of 131 acutely ill inpatients with MDD were enrolled to receive 20mg of fluoxetine daily for 6 weeks. The 17-item Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (HAMD-17) for symptom and the Work and Social Adjustment Scale (WSAS) for functioning were assessed at weeks 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, and 6. Remission was defined as a score of≤7 on the HAMD-17 at endpoint. Body weight, body length, and BMI were measured at baseline. Pearson correlation coefficients (r) were calculated among body weight, BMI, HAMD-17 score change, and WSAS score change.

RESULTS:

Of the 131 participants, 126 (96.2%) had at least one post-baseline assessment and were included in the analysis. Significant differences in body weight and BMI existed between remitters and nonremitters. There were statistically significant relationships among baseline body weight, baseline BMI, HAMD-17 score change, and WSAS score change at end point.

LIMITATIONS:

This is a short-term trial with relatively small sample size.

CONCLUSIONS:

Nonremitters had greater body weight and BMI before treatment. Increased body weight and BMI is correlated with the decreased improvement in symptom and functioning at end point. Depression and obesity should be treated concurrently to optimize clinical outcomes for the treatment of depression.

• Authors: Ching-Hua Lin, Cheng-Chung Chen, Julielynn Wong, Roger S McIntyre
• Journal: Journal of affective disorders (J Affect Disord) Vol. 161 Pg. 123-6 (Jun 2014) ISSN: 1573-2517 [Electronic] Netherlands
• PMID: 24751319 (Publication Type: Journal Article, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't)
• Copyright: Copyright © 2014. Published by Elsevier B.V.

Chemical References

• Antidepressive Agents, Second-Generation
• Fluoxetine

Topics

• Adult
• Antidepressive Agents, Second-Generation (therapeutic use)
• Body Mass Index
• Body Weight
• Depressive Disorder, Major (complications, drug therapy)
• Double-Blind Method
• Female
• Fluoxetine (therapeutic use)
• Humans
• Male
• Middle Aged
• Obesity (complications, psychology)
• Prognosis