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Diabetology & Metabolic Syndrome
Published in: Diabetology & Metabolic Syndrome 1/2016

Open Access 01-12-2016 | Research

Increased depression and metabolic risk in postmenopausal breast cancer survivors

Authors: Monica C. Serra, Andrew P. Goldberg, Alice S. Ryan

Published in: Diabetology & Metabolic Syndrome | Issue 1/2016

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Abstract

Objective

Breast cancer survivors (BCS) are at high risk for the development of obesity, type 2 diabetes mellitus, and metabolic syndrome. There is increasing interest in the association between depression and metabolic dysfunction, which is relevant in this population as depression is often present in the chronic phase of cancer recovery. Thus, the aim of this study was to evaluate metabolic risk in BCS with and without depression compared to non-cancer controls.

Methods

African American (46 %) and Caucasian (54 %) postmenopausal BCS (N = 28; age: 60 ± 2 years; mean ± SEM) were matched for race, age (±2 years), and BMI (±2 kg/m2) to non-cancer controls (N = 28). Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale (CES-D) >16 or antidepressant medication usage was used to classify depression. Metabolic status was defined by 2-hr glucose during an OGTT and classification of metabolic syndrome.

Results

Compared to non-cancer controls, BCS had similar 2-hr glucose, but higher fasting glucose and total cholesterol, and were 2.5 times more likely to have metabolic syndrome (21 vs. 52 %)(P’s < 0.05). Conversely, HDL-C was 16 % higher in BCS (P < 0.05). Forty three % of BCS were on antidepressants compared to 14 % in non-cancer controls, despite similar mean CES-D scores (6 ± 1). Depressed BCS (46 %) had a higher BMI, waist circumference, fasting glucose, and more metabolic syndrome components than non-depressed BCS (P’s < 0.05).

Conclusions

BCS have a heightened prevalence of depression that may be associated with an increased prevalence of metabolic syndrome. These results support the need to monitor weight gain, depression, and the progression of metabolic abnormalities after cancer diagnosis and treatment. Further studies into the mechanistic link between depression and metabolic disease are necessary to identify strategies that can offset their impact on obesity and associated cardiovascular risk following a breast cancer diagnosis.

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Metadata
Title
Increased depression and metabolic risk in postmenopausal breast cancer survivors
Authors
Monica C. Serra
Andrew P. Goldberg
Alice S. Ryan
Publication date
01-12-2016
Publisher
BioMed Central
Published in
Diabetology & Metabolic Syndrome / Issue 1/2016
Electronic ISSN: 1758-5996
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1186/s13098-016-0170-4

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