Fat compartments in patients with depression: A meta‐analysis. Issue 1 (5th November 2020)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Cosan, Alisa S.; Schweiger, Julietta U.; Kahl, Kai G.; Hamann, Bettina; Deuschle, Michael; Schweiger, Ulrich; Westermair, Anna L.
• Is Part Of: Brain and behavior. Volume 11:Issue 1(2021)
• Page Start: n/a
• Page End: n/a
• Publication Date: 2020-11-05
• Subjects: depression -- intra‐abdominal fat -- major depressive disorder -- metabolic syndrome -- subcutaneous fat; Neurology -- Periodicals; Neurosciences -- Periodicals; Psychology -- Periodicals; Psychiatry -- Periodicals; 616.8005
• DOI: 10.1002/brb3.1912
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 2162-3279

Abstract

Abstract: Introduction: Depressive disorders are a common illness worldwide. Major depression is known as a significant predictor of the metabolic syndrome. However, the effects of depression on adipose tissue compartments are controversial. This meta‐analysis aimed to evaluate the state of research on the relationship between patients with depression and adipose tissue compartments as compared to nondepressed individuals. Methods: The PubMed database was searched for human studies that measured adipose tissue compartments such as visceral adipose tissue (VAT), subcutaneous adipose tissue (SAT) and/or organ‐specific adipose tissue measurements using dual‐energy X‐ray absorptiometry, magnetic resonance imaging or computed tomography scan and reported the means and a measure of variance separately for depressed individuals and healthy controls. Twelve articles were identified, including a total of 1, 141 depressed and 2, 545 nondepressed individuals. Results: Major depressive disorder and self‐reported depressive symptoms were associated with elevated visceral adipose tissue and elevated subcutaneous adipose tissue. Subanalyses for gender, age, method of adipose tissue measurement, and method of depression assessment showed elevated visceral adipose in depressed individuals. The results could be replicated when focussing on studies controlling for body mass index (BMI). Regarding other adipose tissue compartments, meta‐analysis could not be carried out due to lack of studies. Conclusions: Depression is associated with enlarged visceral and subcutaneous adipose tissue. Further, especially longitudinal, research is needed to identify the mechanism through which depressive disorders contribute to visceral adiposity. Abstract : We conducted a meta‐analysis of studies comparing different adipose tissue compartments between depressed individuals (total n = 1, 141) and healthy individuals (total n = 2, 545). Depressed individuals showed elevated visceral adipose tissue, independently of sex, age, method of adipose tissue measurement and method of depression assessment. Subcutaneous adipose tissue was also elevated in depressed compared to healthy individuals.