Family history of diabetes moderates metabolic depression endophenotypes in overweight/obese adults

Objective: Insulin resistance (IR) is linked to depressive disorders, and there is growing evidence that targeting IR may be beneficial in treating them. We examine the association between depressive symptoms and a direct measure of IR, and whether family history of type 2 diabetes (FHx-T2DM) or major depressive disorder (FHxMDD) moderate this relationship.Methods: Cross-sectional data were collected from 96 primarily overweight/obese adults ages 25-50 without diabetes or clinical depression. Multiple regression and correlation analyses were used to assess the association between depressive symptoms and a direct measure of IR (steady-state plasma glucose) as well as moderating effects of FHx-T2DM or FHx-MDD.Results: In the total sample, elevated depressive symptoms were positively associated with IR (p = 0.005). IR was associated with depressive symptoms in subjects with FHx-T2DM (p = 0.002) or FHx-MDD (p = 0.009) whereas BMI was associated with depressive symptoms in subjects without FHx-T2DM (p = 0.049) or FHx-MDD (p = 0.029). The odds of being in the top tertile of IR increased with elevated depressive symptoms alone (OR, 4.22; 95%CI, 1.15 to 17.33), presence of FHx-T2DM alone (OR, 3.42; 95%CI, 1.26 to 10.00), and presence of both FHxT2DM and elevated depressive symptoms (OR, 10.08; 95%CI, 1.94 to 96.96).Conclusions: Our findings indicate that depressive symptoms are positively associated with a direct measure of IR in overweight/obese individuals without diabetes or clinical depression. This association is moderated by FHxT2DM. Early identification of groups vulnerable to IR related to depressive symptomatology may be useful for determining personalized interventions that have the potential to reduce morbidity in later years.

Automated summary

The study found that depressive symptoms are positively associated with a direct measure of insulin resistance in overweight/obese individuals, and this association is moderated by family history of type 2 diabetes.