Gender-age and clinical-dynamic aspects of the course of depressive disorders in obese patients

Abstract

Obesity and depression are global health problems. According to WHO estimates, depression is experienced by 3.8% of the population, including 5.0% of adults (4.0% of men and 6.0% of women) and 5.7% of people over the age of 60. About 60.0% of the population of economically developed countries is overweight, 25.0–30.0% are suffering from obesity. Taking into account the great medical and social importance and the insufficient study of the peculiarities of the structure, clinical course, and management of depression in patients with abdominal obesity, the purpose of the study is to analyse and compare the structure, gender-age, and clinical-dynamic features of the course of depressive disorders in obese patients. 140 people were examined. Patients were divided into two clinical groups. The 1st group included 70 women with abdominal obesity and average BMI (34.6±1.42) kg/m2, the 2nd group – 70 men with abdominal obesity and average BMI (34.6±1.42) kg/m2. Examination of patients included: a detailed collection of complaints and anamnesis of patients; a questionnaire to identify depressive disorders according to Beck’s Depression Inventory; clinical and objective examination; measurement of anthropometric and physiological indicators; and laboratory and statistical research. The results of the study established that in young people (25–44 years old), depression was recorded 3.80 times (χ2=24.86, p=0.00001) more often in women than in men, while the number of depressive disorders at the age of 45–59 among men was 2.42 times (χ2=20.94, p=0.00001) more often than among women. The emotional type with an episodic and more severe course of depression prevailed in women, while physical manifestations of depression were characteristic of men. In particular, aggression, which was registered 2.00 times (χ2=4.54, p=0.00001) more often than in women. In order to effectively provide treatment to patients with abdominal obesity and depression, not only the course and type of depressive disorders but also the gender and age characteristics of the patients must be taken into account. Keywords: obesity, depression, gender-age characteristics, body mass index.