Metabolic syndrome and depressive symptoms among Japanese men and women.

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVES: Evidence is limited on the relation between metabolic syndrome and depressive symptoms. The aim of this cross-sectional study was to investigate the association between metabolic syndrome and depressive symptoms in a Japanese working population. METHODS: The study subjects comprised 458 municipal employees (age range 21-67 years) from two municipal offices in Japan. A modified version of the criteria of the National Cholesterol Education Program Adult Treatment Panel III was used to define metabolic syndrome. Depressive symptoms were assessed using the Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression (CES_D) scale. RESULTS: Depressive symptoms (CES_D ≥ 16) in both the male and female subjects were not significantly associated with metabolic syndrome nor with each component of metabolic syndrome. In men, high fasting glucose was associated with increased prevalence of severe depressive state (CES_D ≥ 23). CONCLUSIONS: Metabolic syndrome may not be associated with depressive status among Japanese employees.