Exploring the bidirectional relationship between depressive disorder and dyslipidemia: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

OBJECTIVE

To explore the bidirectional association between dyslipidemia and depression, and the potential predictive role of lipid level changes for depression onset.

METHODS

A systematic search of the Cochrane Library, Web of Science, Embase, and PubMed databases was conducted to identify cohort studies on blood lipids and 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT) parameters related to depression, from database inception to May 2024. Data were analyzed using Stata 14.0 software.

RESULTS

Seven studies were included in the analysis. Serum high-density lipoprotein (HDL) and triglyceride levels are significantly associated with an increased risk of depression (OR = 1.28, 95% CI: 1.07 - 1.53; OR = 1.41, 95% CI: 1.20 - 1.66, P < 0.05). However, depressive symptoms do significantly affect serum HDL, LDL, triglyceride, or total cholesterol levels (ORs = 0.88, 1.05, 1.05, 1.11; 95% CIs: 0.58 - 1.35, 0.88 - 1.24, 0.91 - 1.21, 0.9 - 1.32, P > 0.05).

CONCLUSION

Based on the present findings, changes in serum HDL and triglyceride levels are significantly linked to depression incidence. Monitoring these two lipid parameters may aid in early identification of at-risk individuals and enhance the prognosis and quality of life for depressed patients through timely interventions.

SYSTEMATIC REVIEW REGISTRATION: https://www.crd.york.ac.uk/prospero/, identifier CRD42024542833.