Elevated Depression Symptoms Associated with Insulin Resistance

Elevated depression symptoms have an association with insulin resistance measured by steady-state plasma glucose, according to a study presented in a poster at the virtual 2021 American Psychiatric Association Annual Meeting.

“This is broadly consistent with our previous findings that indirect measures of insulin resistance (IR) are positively associated with depression severity among individuals with current major depressive disorder,” wrote Stacie Ong, BA, of Stanford University School of Medicine, California, and co-researchers.

Researchers gathered BMI and metabolic data from 96 overweight or obese adults without clinical depression or type 2 diabetes to examine the association between depressive symptoms and insulin resistance. Participants aged 23 to 51 were divided based on depressive symptoms. Symptoms were assessed using the Hamilton Depression Rating Scale 17-Item and used to separate participants with scores of 8 or more and participants with scores of less than 8.

Of the 96 participants, 80 had scores of less than 8, and 16 had scores of 8 or more.

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Researchers measured steady-state plasma glucose concentration shown during an insulin suppression test to assess the insulin resistance in each participant. They assessed physical activity using the International Physical Activity Questionnaire and calculated multiples of the resting metabolic rate.

Participants with a score of 8 or more on the Hamilton Depression Rating Scale 17-Item had lower resting metabolic rates and higher concentrations of steady-state plasma glucose than those with less than 8. Age, BMI, physical activity, age, and sex were considered to adjust these findings. Age, BMI, inactivity, and a score of 8 or more on the Hamilton Depression Rating Scale 17-Item were associated with a higher concentration of steady-state plasma glucose.

Researchers suggest that further longitudinal studies are necessary to define if body mass index and inactivity contribute to higher rates of insulin resistance seen in participants with increased depressive symptoms.

“Future studies may explore mediators of the relationship between IR (insulin resistance) and depressive symptoms,” Ong et al concluded.

—Erin McGuinness

Reference

Ong S, Abbasi F, Watson K, Myoraku A, Rasgon N. Insulin resistance, body mass index, and physical activity in individuals with depressive symptoms. Poster presented at the American Psychiatric Association Annual Meeting; May 1-3, 2021; Virtual.