Trends in prevalence and multimorbidity of metabolic, cardiovascular, and chronic kidney diseases among US adults with depression from 2005 to 2020

Comorbid depression and cardiometabolic diseases are prevalent and increase risk of mortality. However, trends in the prevalence and multimorbidity of cardiometabolic diseases in depression are unclear. Data of adults aged ≥20 years with depression from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 2005–2020 were analyzed. Joinpoint regression analysis was used to estimate trends in the prevalence of dyslipidemia, hypertension, diabetes, chronic kidney disease, non-alcoholic fatty liver disease, and cardiovascular disease as well as having ≥3 of these diseases. Differences in the prevalence of these diseases in depression vs no depression were assessed using Poisson regressions after applying propensity score weighting. A total of 3412 adults with depression were included. The prevalence of cardiometabolic diseases as well as having ≥3 diseases remained high and stable in the overall sample from 2005 to 2020 (P for trend >0.05). In 2017–2020, the prevalence ranged from 17.1 % (95 % CI, 12.7 %–21.5 %) for cardiovascular disease to 58.4 % (95 % CI, 50.4 %–66.3 %) for dyslipidemia; 40.7 % (95 % CI, 34.4 %–46.9 %) had ≥3 diseases. The prevalence of diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and having≥3 diseases was 23 %–85 % higher in adults with depression than those without. The utilization of self-reported data and/or one-time laboratory measurements may misclassify participants. Prevalence of cardiometabolic diseases was high and multimorbidity was common in US adults with depression. Addressing the prevention, treatment, and management of cardiometabolic diseases in depression requires greater public health and clinical attention. •Trends in prevalence of metabolic, cardiovascular, and chronic kidney diseases in adults with depression were estimated.•Prevalence of cardiometabolic and chronic kidney diseases was high and multimorbidity was common in adults with depression.•In 2005-2020, prevalence of cardiometabolic and chronic kidney diseases in adults with depression remained high and stable.•Prevalence of diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and having ≥3 diseases was higher in adults with vs without depression.