Evaluation of the relationship between metabolic syndrome and depression in adults

Aim: Our study aimed to contribute to the screening, diagnosis and treatment process by simultaneously evaluating the relationship between metabolic syndrome and depression in adult individuals applying to the family medicine outpatient clinic. Method: Our study is a single-center, cross-sectional study conducted with volunteers who applied to the Family Medicine outpatient clinic of Karadeniz Technical University Faculty of Medicine. A face-to-face questionnaire consisting of sociodemographic information, the Burns depression scale to determine the level of depressive symptoms, and the Metabolic Syndrome Knowledge and Awareness Scale (MSBS) was administered to the participants by the researcher. Patients' metabolic syndrome status was assessed according to the National Chlosterol Education Programme ATP III (NCEP-ATPIII) and International Diabetes Federation (IDF) guidelines. Data were analyzed using IBM SPSS 26.0. Statistical significance was set at p<0.05. Results: 313 people were included in our research. The mean age of the participants was 34.98±14.90, with the highest participation rate between the ages of 46-60. The majority of the participants were female (55.9%, n=175), and 93.3% of them were married. The highest participation rate in terms of education level was in the university/master's degree group (36.4%, n=114). According to NCEP-ATPIII criteria, 72.8% of the participants were diagnosed with MetS, while according to IDF, 73.8% met MetS criteria. No statistically significant association was found between metabolic syndrome and depression (p=0.214, p=0.087). Conclusion: Due to the increasing prevalence of metabolic syndrome and depression, patients require closer diagnosis, screening, treatment, and follow-up in primary care settings. Family physicians play a crucial role in conducting individual and community-based initiatives to increase awareness. Keywords: Major Depression, Metabolic syndrome,Tip 2 Diabetes Mellitus