Effects of Statins as an Adjunct to Antidepressants on Clinical Outcomes and TyG Index in Depression: A Prospective Observational Study

Description

Abstract (English)

Introduction: Major depressive disorder (MDD) represents a significant global health concern, characterized by
a pervasive low mood, loss of interest or pleasure and a range of cognitive and somatic symptoms. Statins
biological effects have spurred interest in the potential utility of statins in various conditions beyond
cardiovascular disease, including neurological and psychiatric disorders. Given their established safety profile
and the growing understanding of their pleiotropic actions, statins represent a promising class of medications for
potential repurposing as adjunctive therapies in the management of depression.
Methods: This study employed a prospective observational design to evaluate the effects of adjunctive statin
therapy on clinical outcomes and the TyG index in individuals with depression over a 12-month period. The
study included two groups of participants: the Adjunctive Statin Group with Antidepressant and the
Antidepressant-Only Group. The Adjunctive Statin Group consist of patients with a diagnosis of MDD who
were receiving a stable dose of antidepressant medication and whose treating physician had initiated statin
therapy as part of their clinical management within one month prior to or at the time of study enrollment. The
Antidepressant-Only Group served as the control group and comprised patients with MDD who were also
receiving a stable dose of antidepressant medication but will was not prescribed a statin during the study period.
Results: The mean age was similar between groups (45.2 vs. 44.6 years, p=0.74), with a comparable proportion
of females (53.3% vs. 56.7%, p=0.71). Both groups were having overweight with BMI values (27.1 vs. 26.8
kg/m², p=0.66) and a comparable mean duration of depression (~6.5–6.8 years, p=0.72). Baseline HAM-D,
MADRS, and PHQ-9 scores did not differ significantly (all p>0.7), confirming that the groups started with
similar severity of depressive symptoms. Medication classes were comparable, with SSRIs being the most
commonly prescribed (~55%). As expected, only the adjunctive group received statins (45% atorvastatin, 35%
rosuvastatin, 20% simvastatin). Baseline triglycerides, glucose, and TyG index values were nearly identical
across groups (p-values 0.74–0.87).
Conclusion: The results have the potential to contribute to our understanding of novel treatment strategies for
major depressive disorder, considering the intricate interplay between mental health and metabolic factors. By
carefully observing and analyzing the outcomes in a naturalistic clinical setting, this research seeks to inform
future clinical practice and guide further investigations into the therapeutic potential of statins in the
management of depression.