Depression affects individuals differently — and new research suggests it may also influence the risk of developing physical health conditions.
A seven-year study involving nearly 6,000 adults has revealed that different forms of depression are linked to specific diseases, such as diabetes and cardiovascular conditions.
Depression’s Impact on Physical Health
While it’s long been known that depression can increase the risk of metabolic disorders, recent findings presented at the ECNP Congress in Amsterdam highlight a more nuanced connection. The study suggests that distinct depression profiles are associated with different cardiometabolic diseases.
Study Overview
Researchers followed 5,794 participants from the Netherlands Epidemiology of Obesity (NEO) Study, none of whom had diabetes or cardiovascular disease at the start. Participants completed detailed questionnaires to assess depressive symptoms. Based on responses, researchers identified two main types of depression:
- Melancholic depression: Characterized by symptoms such as early morning awakening and loss of appetite.
- Atypical/energy-related depression: Marked by fatigue, increased sleep, and overeating.
Depression Types and Disease Risk
Over the seven years, approximately 8% of participants developed a cardiometabolic condition. The risk for specific diseases varied depending on the type of depression:
Those with atypical/energy-related symptoms were about 2.7 times more likely to develop Type-2 diabetes compared to those without depression. However, this group did not show a significant increase in cardiovascular disease.
People with melancholic symptoms, on the other hand, had a 1.5 times higher likelihood of experiencing cardiovascular disease, including heart attacks or strokes, but showed no significant increase in Type-2 diabetes.
Biological Differences Provide Insights
Lead researcher Dr. Yuri Milaneschi, from Amsterdam University Medical Center, explained that further analysis revealed biological differences between the depression types. The atypical/energy-related group showed disruptions in inflammatory and metabolic processes associated with cardiometabolic health. These disruptions were absent in the melancholic group, suggesting distinct biochemical pathways linking each depression type to physical health.
“We knew that depression isn’t a one-size-fits-all condition, but these findings suggest that the type of depression may have a significant impact on physical health. This brings us closer to the idea of ‘precision psychiatry,’ where mental health treatment is tailored based on individual profiles, including their physical health risks,” Dr. Milaneschi said.
Expert Opinion on Prevention and Care
Dr. Chiara Fabbri from the University of Bologna emphasized the importance of treating both mental and physical health in patients with depression. “Physical conditions like diabetes are expected to increase significantly, especially in Europe, where the number of people with diabetes is projected to rise by 10% by 2050,” Dr. Fabbri noted. “This study provides valuable insights on how to better prevent and manage cardiometabolic diseases in people suffering from depression.”
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