Relationship of Metabolic Syndrome Risk Factors and Reported Depression Among Hispanic Men and Women

Background: Hispanics are disproportionately affected by metabolic syndrome (MetS). The link between depression and MetS has been of increasing clinical interest but has not been well studied among racial/ethnic groups. This study aims to determine relationships between number of MetS risk factors and self- and caregiver-reported depression among Hispanics. Hypotheses: (1) Hispanic women with increased number of MetS risk factors will have more depression symptoms by self- and caregiver-report. (2) Hispanic men with increased number of MetS risk factors will not have more reported depression symptoms. Methods: Data were analyzed from Hispanic women (n=589) and men (n=277) in the Texas Alzheimer’s Research and Care Consortium (TARCC) Longitudinal Research Cohort. Participants were given the Geriatric Depression Scale (GDS). Caregivers were given the Neuropsychiatric Inventory Questionnaire (NPI-Q). GDS total score, NPI-Q occurrence and occurrence by severity scores were analyzed in relationship to total number of selected risk factors of MetS (hypercholesterolemia, hypertension, and obesity). Data were analyzed using Chi square, t-test and multivariate analysis of variance. Results: Men and women did not differ on number of risk factors (X2=.34, p=.560). Women scored higher on GDS (p=.044) but not on NPI-Q. A significant main effect for number of risk factors was found for NPI-Q but not for GDS. Number of risk factors was not related to depression symptoms for men, although the GDS score approached significance when comparing no risk factors to three risk factors (p=.07). Women with three risk factors had significantly higher. Conclusion: Hispanic women with three risk factors of MetS have significantly higher rates of depression symptoms when compared to Hispanic women with fewer risk factors. This finding did not hold for men. When examining Hispanic women with increased risk factors of MetS, it is important to evaluate for depression.