System Maintenance Notice

Please note that maintenance work is scheduled between 4 AM and 5 AM - CET. During this time, you may experience reduced performance. Thanks for your patience.

Publications

Journal Article Comparative Study Ppublish

PubMed: 42580568 DOI: 10.1016/j.annepidem.2026.110262

Binational comparison of depressive symptom severity and metabolic syndrome in nationally representative adults from South Korea and the United States.

Ann Epidemiol 122:110262

Authors: Yoon Lee, Hyunjeong Kim, Hyunjee Kim, Dain Y Kim, Taelim Choi, Jaeyu Park, Seohyun Hong, Jaehyun Kong, Laurent Boyer, Guillaume Fond, José Francisco López-Gil, Dong Keon Yon

Affiliations

  • Department of Medicine, Kyung Hee University College of Medicine, Seoul, South Korea; Center for Digital Health, Medical Science Research Institute, Kyung Hee University Medical Center, Kyung Hee University College of Medicine, Seoul, South Korea.
  • Center for Digital Health, Medical Science Research Institute, Kyung Hee University Medical Center, Kyung Hee University College of Medicine, Seoul, South Korea; Department of Precision Medicine, Kyung Hee University College of Medicine, Seoul, South Korea.
  • Department of Medicine, Korea University College of Medicine, Seoul, South Korea.
  • CEReSS-Health Service Research and Quality of Life Center, Assistance Publique-Hôpitaux de Marseille, Aix-Marseille Université, Marseille, France.
  • School of Medicine, Universidad Espíritu Santo, Samborondón, Ecuador; Faculty of Health Sciences, Universidad Autónoma de Chile, Santiago, Chile.
  • Department of Medicine, Kyung Hee University College of Medicine, Seoul, South Korea; Center for Digital Health, Medical Science Research Institute, Kyung Hee University Medical Center, Kyung Hee University College of Medicine, Seoul, South Korea; Department of Precision Medicine, Kyung Hee University College of Medicine, Seoul, South Korea; Department of Pediatrics, Kyung Hee University Medical Center, Kyung Hee University College of Medicine, Seoul, South Korea.

Abstract

PURPOSE

Given limited recent nationally representative evidence on depression and metabolic syndrome (MetS), we compared this association in South Korea and the United States (US).

METHODS

We analyzed data from the Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (KNHANES, 2014-2022) and the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES, 2013-2020). Depressive symptoms were assessed using the Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9; categorized as low [0-9], moderate [10-14], or high [15-27]). MetS was defined by the National Cholesterol Education Program Adult Treatment Panel III. Weighted logistic regression analyses were performed to calculate weighted odds ratios (wORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) by PHQ-9 category.

RESULTS

We included 25,207 KNHANES participants and 16,447 NHANES participants. MetS prevalence was higher in the high PHQ-9 group (South Korea, 38.19% [95% CI, 33.05-43.33]; the US, 43.20% [36.73-49.68]). Estimated wORs for MetS generally increased at higher PHQ-9 scores. High versus low PHQ-9 scores were associated with higher MetS odds in both countries (South Korea: wOR, 1.34 [95% CI, 1.07-1.66]; the US: 1.44 [1.09-1.91]), with a numerically higher estimate in the US. Subgroup analyses suggested that differences in MetS prevalence across PHQ-9 categories were more evident among females, adults aged 40-64 years, and participants with lower household income.

CONCLUSIONS

These findings underscore the need to incorporate depressive symptom assessment into MetS prevention and management, with strategies tailored to national contexts.

MeSH

Patient Health Questionnaire, Prevalence, Metabolic Syndrome