Depressive and anxiety symptoms in patients with Metabolic Syndrome

Abstract

Depressive symptoms have been associated to the Metabolic Syndrome. Nevertheless, only a few studies have evaluated anxiety and depression concomitantly. The objective of the research was to evaluate the intensity of depressive and anxiety symptoms in patients with Metabolic Syndrome and their relation to demographic variables. A unicenter, transversal study was carried out. A social demographic questionnaire was used. Depressive symptoms were measured with Beck Depression Inventory and anxiety symptoms were measured with Hamilton Anxiety Scale Rate. A total of 103 ambulatory patients, 60 of them men, with mean age 55.4 years (±7,6) with a diagnosis of Metabolic Syndrome were included in the study. Anxiety symptoms of very severe intensity were present in 51.5% (n=53) while severe depressive symptoms in only 5.8% (n=6). Anxiety and depressive symptoms were significantly associated. In this sample, anxiety predominated in relation to the depressive symptoms. The anxiety symptoms were more intense in women and that had low level of education.