Triglycerides, Cholesterol, and Depressive Symptoms Among Undergraduate Medical Students: A Cross-Sectional Study

TL;DR

This study found that higher triglyceride and cholesterol levels in medical students are linked to more depressive symptoms, suggesting metabolic factors may influence mental health.

Contribution

The study is among the first to explore the link between lipid levels and depression in medical students, a high-stress population.

Findings

Each 10 mg/dL increase in triglycerides was associated with a 4% higher prevalence of depressive symptoms.

Each 10 mg/dL increase in total cholesterol was linked to a 13% higher prevalence of depressive symptoms.

Triglycerides ≥ 150 mg/dL and cholesterol ≥ 200 mg/dL were significantly associated with depressive symptoms.

Abstract

Background: Depression is one of the most common mental disorders among undergraduate students, particularly those in medical training, who face high academic demands and emotional burdens. Biological factors such as lipid abnormalities have been proposed as contributors to depressive symptoms, although evidence in this group is scarce. Therefore, we aimed to evaluate the association between triglyceride and total cholesterol levels and depressive symptoms in medical students. Methods: We conducted a cross-sectional study including 219 medical students from a public university in Mexico. Depressive symptoms were assessed using the CESD-7 scale, validated in the Mexican population. Fasting triglyceride and total cholesterol concentrations were measured with the Accutrend Plus analyzer. Prevalence ratios (PRs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were estimated using robust Poisson regression, adjusting for potential confounders. Results: Overall, 38.8% of students presented depressive symptoms. In adjusted continuous models, each 10 mg/dL increase in triglycerides was associated with a 4% higher prevalence of depression (PR = 1.04, 95% CI 1.03–1.06), while each 10 mg/dL increase in total cholesterol was associated with a 13% higher prevalence (PR = 1.13, 95% CI 1.05–1.21). Analyses using clinically relevant cutoffs confirmed these associations: triglycerides ≥ 150 mg/dL (PR = 1.76, 95% CI 1.24–2.48) and cholesterol ≥ 200 mg/dL (PR = 1.66, 95% CI 1.19–2.31). Conclusions: Dyslipidemias may play a relevant role in the mental health of young adults and highlight the importance of incorporating metabolic risk assessment into strategies to prevent and address depression in medical students.

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