Increased Odds for Depression and Antidepressant Use in the Inactive Spanish Population

Abstract

Introduction: Depression is a disabling mental illness and therefore also a serious public health problem. It affects 5% of the adult population in the world and is the leading cause of disability, with an annual cost of USD one trillion. In Spain, its prevalence is 13.4%, costing EUR 6000 million a year. Physical inactivity has been linked to an increase in depressive symptoms, with physical activity associated with an improvement in health-related quality of life. Objective: To calculate the odds ratio (OR) and relative risk (RR) of suffering from depression and taking antidepressants in the inactive Spanish population compared to groups with a higher level of physical activity. Method: 17,141 individuals aged 18–69 years residing in Spain and interviewed in the 2017 Spanish National Health Survey were included in this cross-sectional investigation. Results: Dependence relationships were found between the level of physical activity and the prevalence of depression and taking antidepressants (p < 0.001). We found elevated ORs and RRs for depression and antidepressant use in inactive people compared to those with a high/very high level of physical activity (Depression: OR: 4.32. CI95%: 3.35–5.57. RR: 1.59. 95% CI: 1.51–1.68; Antidepressants: OR: 4.95. CI95%: 3.59–6.82. RR: 1.61. CI95%: 1.52–1.71). Conclusions: Belonging to an inactive population group increases the risk of suffering from depression and of taking antidepressants.

Physical Activity Frequency and Depression in the Spanish Population

“…Depression prevalence was higher in the inactive groups, decreasing in the groups with higher PA frequency. Several studies support these results [ 15 , 16 , 37 , 38 ], stating that is mandatory to increase the importance of PA to reduce the likelihood of depression. Rosenbaum (2014) [ 22 ] reported that PA reduces depressive symptoms in people with mental illness.…”

“…Some examples of these policies could be guides and advice for families about PA, sports programs promoted by municipalities, educational centers and companies, policies to promote PA as a way of transportation, creating areas for the practice of PA, active aging programs, etc. These policies are aimed to increase the frequency of PA in all age groups, as inactivity has a potential risk for depression [ 15 , 16 ], and as we know, depression can appear at any age [ 46 ].…”

“…PA shows beneficial effects combating depression [ 14 ], maybe due to the release of endorphins produced during the activity which reduces anxiety, depression and stress levels [ 15 , 16 ]. Numerous studies support the beneficial effects of physical activity on depression, both in terms of prevention and treatment [ 17 , 18 , 19 , 20 , 21 , 22 ].…”

Greater physical activity levels are associated with lower prevalence of tumors and risk of cancer in Spanish population: A cross-sectional study

“…Between 0 and 7 days per week, or NS/NC). The PAI formula, the values it could take, as well as the way in which participants were grouped by PAL was described in previous publications) [ [31] , [32] , [33] ].…”

The relationship between antidepressants and breast cancer: evidence from Mendelian randomization

“…In the United States, for example, the use of antidepressants has increased from 10.6 to 13.8% in the last decade, with almost one in seven people taking antidepressants, and the rate of antidepressant use is even higher among women, with almost one in five women using antidepressants and even one in four women over the age of 60 taking antidepressants. The use of antidepressants in Australia and European countries is similar to that in the US [ 3 , 5 , 6 ]. The use of antidepressants can cause a variety of diseases.…”