4 METABOLIC SYNDROME, HYPERTENSION AND DEPRESSION: A DANGEROUS ASSOCIATION FOR POSTMENOPAUSAL WOMEN

Abstract

Abstract Background Depression(D) is a common condition in postmenopausal women, related to an increased risk of cardiovascular disease(CVD), however, the relationship between metabolic syndrome(MetS) and D needs to be better clarified, the same for the association between hypertension(H) and D. The diagnosis of D is yet a challenging problem in clinical practice, there is a wide underdiagnosis of this condition, so the evidence that a Dwell-identified population of postmenopausal women, affected by MetS, presents a high risk, of D occurrence, is useful for CVD prevention. Our study aims to assess the prevalence of metabolic syndrome or hypertension diagnosed according to current guidelines, in postmenopausal women with D, and its role as an independent risk factor. Results D rate was significantly higher among women affected by MetS:0.17%, 18 women, than CG:0.08%, 45 women, Chi-squared 9.8, Odds ratio 2.3, c.i.95%, p<0.0017. D rate was significantly higher among women affected by H:0.17%, 107 women, than CG:0.08%, 45 women, Chi-squared 25.9, Odds ratio 2.4, c.i.95%, p<0.0000. D rate was significantly higher among women affected by metabolic cardiopathy:0.18%, 10 women, than CG:0.08%, 45 women, Chi-squared 5.9, Odds ratio 2.3, c.i.95%, p<0.0014. D rate was significantly higher among women affected by hypertensive cardiopathy:0.12%, 43 women than CG:0.08%, 45 women, Chi-squared 25.9, Odds ratio 2.4, c.i.95%, p<0.05. Conclusion There was a wide lack of diagnosis of D in our population because in controlled trials the prevalence of depression is 10-15%. However, we observed an interesting relationship between MetS and D, which is even tighter when restricted to women affected by H; otherwise, the relationship doesn't change when restricted to women affected by metabolic or hypertensive cardiomyopathy. An intervention is needed to improve the diagnosis of D in postmenopausal women, even more, when affected by MetS or D. Key words: postmenopausal women, metabolic syndrome, hypertension, depression, cardiomyopathy