Association of Depression with Cardiac Autonomic Function and Food Addiction in Individuals in Psychopharmacological Treatment
摘要
Major depressive disorder is a multifactorial condition and may be associated with food addiction and changes in cardiac autonomic dysfunction. This study investigated the occurrence of food addiction and cardiac autonomic function among individuals with depression and undergoing psychopharmacological treatment. The group depression (D) exhibited a higher body mass index (BMI) [mean 29.4 (5.7) vs. 26.4 (3.3); p = 0.022] and greater number of food addiction symptoms [3 (0–9) vs. 1.5 (0–9); p = 0.005] compared to the group control (C). Group D had lower LF (Low-Frequency band) (46.8 ± 21.0 vs. 61.1 ± 21.9), LF/HF ratio [0.78 (0.17–6.89) vs. 1.77 (0.15–6.67)], SD2/SD1 ratio (1.66 ± 0.67 vs. 2.05 ± 0.70), and DFA1 (0.90 ± 0.35 vs. 1.15 ± 0.25), but higher HF (High-Frequency band) (52.9 ± 20.9 vs. 34.9 ± 19.4). Furthermore, LF/HF ratio was positively correlated with depression severity (p = 0.002; Spearman's rho = 0.558; effect size Fisher’s z = 0.629). Regression models adjusted for potential confounders showed that depressive symptoms were positively associated with low-frequency (LF) components and food addiction symptoms and negatively associated with high-frequency (HF) components (p < 0.05). Patients with depression exhibited changes in BMI, addictive eating symptoms, and cardiometabolic parameters, with a greater prevalence of parasympathetic tone.