Major depressive disorder is associated with fragmented QRS.

Objective There is a close link between major depressive disorder (MDD) and cardiovascular disease (CVD). Increasing oxidative stress, changes in hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis and platelet clotting cascade may lead to subclinical myocardial damage in MDD patients without overt CVD. The aim of the study was to investigate whether MDD is associated with fragmented QRS (fQRS) on electrocardiogram (ECG) which may reflect myocardial fibrosis/scarring and ischaemia. Methods and results A total of 66 MDD patients without overt CVD and 35 age- and sex-matched control subjects were enrolled in this study. Twelve-lead surface ECGs were analysed for the presence of fQRS and echocardiographic examination was performed for each individual. Multivariate logistic regression analysis was used to assess the relationship between MDD and fQRS. The baseline characteristics in terms of age, gender, body mass index and cardiovascular risk factors were comparable in the groups (all P values >0.05). Left ventricular ejection fraction, left ventricular wall thickness and diastolic blood pressure were also similar in the two groups. The presence of fQRS was more prevalent (P < 0.001) and SBP values (P = 0.007) were higher in patients with MDD compared to controls. Moreover, multivariate binary logistic regression analysis indicated the recurrent MDD as the only independent predictor of fQRS on ECG (beta =0.196, 95% CI 0.046 - 0.827, P = 0.014). Conclusion The presence of fQRS on the ECG is associated with MDD, and may be a beneficial tool for detecting subclinical cardiac damage in this population.

[The Prevalence of Night Eating Syndrome among Outpatient Overweight or Obese Individuals with Serious Mental Illness]. / Agir Ruhsal Bozuklugu Olan Kilolu veya Obez Ayaktan Hasta Grubunda Gece Yeme Sendromu Yayginligi.

OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to determine the prevalence of Night Eating Syndrome (NES) among overweight or obese patients with serious mental illness and its relationship with insomnia and quality of life. METHODS: This study included 158 overweight or obese patients diagnosed with schizophrenia, schizoaffective disorder, and bipolar disorder (according to DSM-IV criteria) that were not in the active disease period. A clinical interview and Night Eating Questionnaire (NEQ) were used to assess the prevalence of NES among those in the study group. Body mass index (BMI), sleep quality, and quality of life measures were also evaluated for each patient. RESULTS: Twelve patients (7.6%) were diagnosed with NES via clinical interview while 26 (16.5%) were diagnosed by having ≥25 points in the NEQ. There were no statistically significant differences between the NES and non-NES groups with respect to age, gender, education and body mass index. However, quality of life scores were lower while the severity of insomnia scores were higher in patients with NES. CONCLUSION: The prevalence of NES is higher among overweight or obese patients with serious mental illness when compared to prevalence data in a general population, as demonstrated by previously published studies. Night eating behavior may be related to insomnia and poor quality of life measures. The recognition of NES among patients with severe mental disease is essential to promote prevention of obesity and insomnia as related to night eating behavior.