Associations of Psychological Distress with Metabolic Syndrome Among Japanese Urban Residents

Aims: To examine and evaluate the association between psychological distress and metabolic syndrome (MetS). Methods: Between 2005 and 2006, 1,613 men and women aged 30-79 participated in annual health examinations at Takarazuka City Health Promotion Center in Takarazuka, Japan. Psychological stress was assessed with the General Health Questionnaire (GHQ) and MetS was evaluated using three criteria based on those of the Japanese Society of Internal Medicine as the Japanese counterpart of the third report of the National Cholesterol Education Program Expert Panel on Detection, Evaluation, and Treatment of High Cholesterol in Adults (NCEP/ATP III) and the International Diabetes Federation (IDF). Results: The mean depression score after adjustment for age, smoking, alcohol intake and serum total cholesterol levels was higher for men with than without MetS as defined by Japanese criteria as well as for men with than without fasting glucose >= 110 mg/dL. Multivariable-adjusted, odds ratio associated with increments of one standard deviation in the depression score was 1.48 (1.19-1.84) for MetS, and anxiety and depression scores were 1.32 (1.08-1.61) and 1.24 (1.03-1.50) for fasting glucose >= 110 mg/dL, respectively. Similar trends were observed for the depression score and MetS as defined by NCEP/ATP. and IDF. For women, somatic symptoms, anxiety, and depression were not associated with MetS and its components. Conclusions: Depressive symptoms are considered to be associated with MetS and, more specifically, glucose abnormality among urban Japanese men.