Relationship Between the Level of Lipids and Depression in Korean Adults - Results from the fourth Korean National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey -

Background: This study is to analyze relationship between the level of lipids(Total cholesterol, Triglyceride, HDL-cholesterol, LDL-cholesterol) and depression in adults of Korea, as well as to research into its correlation with demographic, life style, physical, biochemical, hematologic, disease, taking medicine characteristics and depression. Materials and Methods: This study was conducted on 24,871 persons who participated in Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey(KNHANES) (the 1st, 2nd and 3rd year at the 4th survey). Excluded insufficient data, in the end, the study was conducted on 7,341 men and 9,970 women aged 19 or older. Results: 1. Prevalence of depression reaches 5.1% which is high in ≥70 of age group(8.1%) in women(6.8%) ＜100 million won(8.3%, monthly household income), previously married(10.0%), 1 person(9.6%, a member of household), below elementary school(8.8%), unemployed and non-economic activity population( 7.6%, economic activity state), unpaid family worker(6.9%, work status), temporary employee(5.6%, employment types). 2. Prevalence of depression by life style was significantly high in non-smoker(5.7%) none drinking(6.5%) non or irregular physical activity(5.6%). 3. Prevalence of depression by the disease and taking medicine was significantly high with hyperlipemia, stroke, cardiac infarction, heart attack and taking medicine for lowering cholesterol(p＜0.05). 4. Mean±SD of depression by physical, blood pressure, laboratory, food intake characteristics of subjects was significantly low with weight, diastolic blood pressure, hemoglobin, daily food intake, daily energy intake and significantly high variables were found in systolic blood pressure, total cholesterol and LDL-cholesterol(p＜0.05). 5. In terms of OR(95% CI) of depression by the level of lipids(adjusted for demographic, life style, physical, hematologic and diseases). OR of HDL-cholesterol was 1.563 in lower group compared with upper in women. OR of LDL-cholesterol was 5.327 in lower compared with upper in men(p＜0.05). Conclusions: In conclusion, prevalence of depression in korean adults was 5.1%. Depression related with low LDL-cholesterol in adult men of Korea and OR was significantly high. Depression related with low HDL-cholesterol in adult women of Korea and OR was significantly high. These indicates that to lower severely cholesterol may cause other diseases. Thus, to prevent depression, cholesterol level should be in normal range.