Impact of major depressive disorder, distinct subtypes, and symptom severity on lifestyle in the BiDirect Study. (30th November 2016)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Rahe, Corinna; Khil, Laura; Wellmann, Jürgen; Baune, Bernhard T.; Arolt, Volker; Berger, Klaus
• Is Part Of: Psychiatry research. Volume 245(2016)
• Page Start: 164
• Page End: 171
• Publication Date: 2016-11-30
• Subjects: Unipolar depression -- Subtypes of depression -- Atypical depression -- Melancholic depression -- Lifestyle -- Health behavior -- Cardiovascular risk factors; Psychiatry -- Periodicals; Psychiatry -- periodicals; Psychiatrie -- Périodiques; 616.89
• DOI: 10.1016/j.psychres.2016.08.035
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0165-1781

Abstract

Abstract: The aim of this study was to examine associations of major depressive disorder (MDD), its distinct subtypes, and symptom severity with the individual lifestyle factors smoking, diet quality, physical activity, and body mass index as well as with a combined lifestyle index measuring the co-occurrence of these lifestyle factors. A sample of 823 patients with MDD and 597 non-depressed controls was examined. The psychiatric assessment was based on a clinical interview including the Mini International Neuropsychiatric Interview and the Hamilton Depression Rating Scale. Each lifestyle factor was scored as either healthy or unhealthy, and the number of unhealthy lifestyle factors was added up in a combined lifestyle index. Cross-sectional analyses were performed using alternating logistic regression and ordinal logistic regression, adjusted for socio-demographic characteristics. After adjustment, MDD was significantly associated with smoking, low physical activity, and overweight. Likewise, MDD was significantly related to the overall lifestyle index. When stratifying for subtypes, all subtypes showed higher odds for an overall unhealthier lifestyle than controls, but the associations with the individual lifestyle factors were partly different. Symptom severity was associated with the lifestyle index in a dose-response manner. In conclusion, patients with MDD represent an important target group for lifestyle interventions. Highlights: Patients with MDD exhibited an unhealthier lifestyle than non-depressed controls. In particular, MDD was associated with smoking, low physical activity, and overweight. Distinct subtypes and symptom severity may play important roles in this relationship. This observation might contribute to the association between MDD and somatic diseases. Therefore, patients with MDD might be an important target group for lifestyle interventions.