Cohort Study: Metabolic biomarkers and long-term risk of psychiatric disorders in over 200,000 individuals

Study Design and Population:

This population-based cohort study assessed 211,200 participants from the Apolipoprotein-Related Mortality Risk (AMORIS) cohort, who underwent occupational health screening primarily in the Stockholm region of Sweden from 1985 to 1996. Participants were followed longitudinally, with statistical analysis performed between 2022 and 2023. The study included extensive biomarker measurements such as glucose, triglycerides, and high-density lipoprotein.

Main Findings:

The study found significant associations between certain metabolic biomarkers and the risk of developing psychiatric disorders such as depression, anxiety, and stress-related disorders. Specifically, high levels of glucose (HR, 1.30) and triglycerides (HR, 1.15) were linked to an increased risk of these disorders, while high levels of high-density lipoprotein (HR, 0.88) were associated with a reduced risk. These findings held true across both genders and all disorders tested, with nested case-control analyses confirming these trends.

Implications for Practice:

The study suggests that metabolic dysregulation, as indicated by specific biomarkers, may either increase the risk or be a marker of increased risk for the development of common psychiatric disorders. These findings support the potential for closer monitoring and follow-up of individuals with abnormal metabolic profiles to aid in the prevention and early diagnosis of psychiatric conditions.

Reference (free full-text):

Chourpiliadis, C. et al. (2024). Metabolic Profile and Long-Term Risk of Depression, Anxiety, and Stress-Related Disorders. JAMA Network Open, 7(4), e244525. DOI: 10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2024.4525