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ARS Home » Plains Area » Grand Forks, North Dakota » Grand Forks Human Nutrition Research Center » Healthy Body Weight Research » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #293548
Title: Four-year analysis of cardiovascular disease risk factors, depression symptoms, and antidepressant medicine use in the Look AHEAD (Action for Health in Diabetes) clinical trial of weight loss in diabetes

Author
item Raatz, Susan

Submitted to: Diabetes Care
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 10/18/2012
Publication Date: 1/28/2013
Citation: Raatz, S.K. 2013. Four-year analysis of cardiovascular disease risk factors, depression symptoms, and antidepressant medicine use in the Look AHEAD (Action for Health in Diabetes) clinical trial of weight loss in diabetes. Diabetes Care. doi: 10.2337/dc12-1871.

Interpretive Summary: The association of depressive symptoms or antidepressant medicine (ADM) use with subsequent cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk factor status in the Look AHEAD (Action for Health in Diabetes) trial of weight loss in type 2 diabetes. 5,145; participants in two study arms (intensive lifestyle [ILI], diabetes support and education [DSE]) completed the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI), reported ADM use, and were assessed for CVD risk factors at baseline and annually for 4 years. Elevated BDI in the prior year was associated with subsequent CVD risk factor–positive status for the DSE arm and for the ILI arm. Aggressive monitoring of CVD risk in diabetic patients with depressive symptoms or who are treated with ADM may be warranted.

Technical Abstract: OBJECTIVE To study the association of depressive symptoms or antidepressant medicine (ADM) use with subsequent cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk factor status in the Look AHEAD (Action for Health in Diabetes) trial of weight loss in type 2 diabetes. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS Participants (n = 5,145; age [mean 6 SD] 58.7 6 6.8 years; BMI 35.8 6 5.8 kg/m2) in two study arms (intensive lifestyle [ILI], diabetes support and education [DSE]) completed the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI), reported ADM use, and were assessed for CVD risk factors at baseline and annually for 4 years. Risk factor–positive status was defined as current smoking, obesity, HbA1c .7.0% or insulin use, and blood pressure or cholesterol not at levels recommended by expert consensus panel or medicine to achieve recommended levels. Generalized estimating equations assessed within-study arm relationships of elevated BDI score ($11) or ADM use with subsequent year CVD risk status, controlled for demographic variables, CVD history, diabetes duration, and prior CVD risk status. RESULTS Prior year elevated BDI was associated (odds ratio [95%CI]) with subsequent CVD risk factor–positive status for the DSE arm (A1C [1.30 (1.09–1.56)]; total cholesterol [0.80 (0.65–1.00)]; i.e., protective from high total cholesterol) and the ILI arm (HDL [1.40 (1.12–1.75)], triglyceride [1.28 (1.00–1.64)]). Prior year ADM use predicted subsequent elevated CVD risk status for the DSE arm (HDL [1.24 (1.03–1.50)], total cholesterol [1.28 (1.05–1.57)], current smoking [1.73 (1.04–2.88)]) and for the ILI arm (A1C [1.25 (1.08–1.46)],HDL [1.32 (1.11–1.58)], triglycerides [1.75 (1.43–2.14)], systolic blood pressure [1.39 (1.11–1.74)]), obesity [1.46 (1.22–2.18)]). CONCLUSIONS Aggressive monitoring of CVD risk in diabetic patients with depressive symptoms or who are treated with ADM may be warranted.