Depression and obesity: What is the right choice of medication?

• Main Author: Latas Milan
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: Specijalna bolnica za bolesti štitaste žlezde i bolesti metabolizma Zlatibor 2017-01-01
• Series: Medicinski Glasnik Specijalne Bolnice za Bolesti Štitaste Žlezde i Bolesti Metabolizma "Zlatibor"
• Subjects: depression; obesity; antidepressants; comorbidity
• Online Access: http://scindeks-clanci.ceon.rs/data/pdf/1821-1925/2017/1821-19251767092L.pdf

The most common and most significant comorbid psychiatric disorder in patients with obesity is depression. Studies in the general and clinical population indicate that there is a bidirectional correlation between depression and obesity. Chronic depression appears as a precursor or as a factor that generate the onset of obesity. On the other hand, research shows that obesity is one of the main predictors of the onset of depression. In addition, studies have found that women have a greater chance of occurring comorbid depression versus male population. There is no single and one and only mechanism for linking the simultaneous occurrence of depression and obesity in one person, but that a many pathological conditions are involved. Particular attention should be paid to the biological (endocrinological) factors as well as the psychological factors that may or may not be related. For the time being, there is certain evidence and experience that certain antidepressants, primarily bupropion and fluoxetine, are associated with weight loss. On the other hand, it has already been noted that some antidepressants (primarily tricyclic antidepressants, paroxetine and mirtazapine) are associated with the onset of body mass gain and consequent obesity. It is therefore important to know which of the antidepressants has some effect on the body mass and on the basis of that information psychiatrists could determine what antidepressant to prescribe in each individual case.