Characteristics and Correlates of Metabolic Syndrome in Adolescents with Unipolar and Bipolar Depression: Results from a Cross-National Inpatient Case-Control Study.

<b>Abstract</b> <b><i>Objectives:</i></b> To assess characteristics and correlates of metabolic syndrome (MetS) in adolescents with major depressive disorder (MDD) or bipolar disorder-depressive episode (BP-d). <b><i>Methods:</i></b> Case-control study, using national inpatient sample data, including adolescents (age, 12-18 years) with a primary diagnosis of MDD or BP-d. Using propensity score matching (based on age, sex, and race/ethnicity), we extracted cases with MetS (≥3 of the following conditions: obesity, diabetes, hypercholesterolemia, and hypertension) and controls without MetS. We used a multivariable logistic regression model calculating adjusted odds ratios (aORs) for potential correlates of MetS, focusing on primary mood disorders and psychiatric comorbidities. <b><i>Results:</i></b> In 607 age-/sex-/race/ethnicity-matched adolescents (MDD = 83.5%, BP-d = 16.5%), comparing those with (<i>N</i> = 332) versus without MetS (<i>N</i> = 275), MetS was most prevalent in later-age adolescents (mean age 16.3 years), females (58.1%), Whites (40.3%), and Blacks (31.5%). MetS was characterized by obesity (84.9% vs. 3.6%), hypertension (81% vs. 1.8%), diabetes (72.8% vs. 9.1%), and hypercholesterolemia (67.2% vs. 3.6%) (all <i>p</i> &lt; 0.001). MetS was associated with a primary diagnosis of BP-d versus MDD (aOR 2.42, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.47-3.97) and comorbid disruptive behavior disorders (DBD) (aOR 4.45, 95% CI 1.55-12.78), while comorbid substance use disorder reduced MetS risk (aOR 0.31, 95% CI 0.19-0.50). <b><i>Conclusion:</i></b> In adolescents with MDD or BP-d, MetS was associated with a primary BP-d diagnosis, and comorbid DBD. MetS-related parameters should be screened for early in adolescents with depression-spectrum disorders aiming to prevent the development or effects of MetS.