Associations between common mental disorders, cardiovascular risk factors and lifestyle in adults participating in targeted health dialogues in Sweden

Objective: To examine associations of common mental disorders (CMDs) with lifestyle habits and cardiovascular risk factors among participants in targeted health dialogues in Sweden. Methods: A cross-sectional study included 8903 40- and 50-year-olds between September 20, 2021, and January 10, 2024. CMDs included depressive, anxiety, and stress-related disorders. Associations between CMDs and lifestyle habits/cardiovascular risk factors were examined using logistic regression, adjusted for sex, education, marital status, and place of birth. Results: A quarter of the participants had a CMD. Those without a mental diagnosis constituted the controls. Depressive disorders were associated with physical inactivity (OR 1.43, 95% CI 1.17, 1.76), obesity (OR 1.42, 95% CI 1.16, 1.74), and tobacco use (OR 1.69, 95% CI 1.35, 2.10). Anxiety was associated with excessive alcohol use (OR 1.27, 95% CI 1.06, 1.51), unhealthy diet (OR 1.15, 95% CI 1.00, 1.33), tobacco use (OR 1.83, 95% CI 1.57, 2.14), and higher cardiovascular risk (SCORE2; OR 1.32, 95% CI 1.05, 1.64). Stress-related disorders were associated with tobacco use (OR 1.35, 95% CI 1.10, 1.64) and elevated LDL-cholesterol (OR 1.17, 95% CI 1.01, 1.37). Conclusions: Detection of CMDs in middle-aged primary care populations may offer an opportunity for early lifestyle intervention and cardiovascular risk reduction.