Common physical comorbidities in MDD include cardiovascular disease (e.g., coronary heart disease, hypertension, myocardial infarction), digestive and metabolic disorders (type 2 diabetes, obesity, gastritis and duodenitis, non-infectious gastroenteritis) musculoskeletal (e.g. low back and neck pain, sciatica, gout, osteoarthritis, osteoporosis), genitourinary disorders (e.g., urinary system and menstruation disorders) and neurological disorders (e.g., Alzheimer’s disease and Parkinson’s disease), cancer (e.g., lung, liver), and infections (e.g., skin infections, bacterial infections).1-4
Reference:
1.Steffen A, Nübel J, Jacobi F, et al. Mental and somatic comorbidity of depression: a comprehensive cross-sectional analysis of 202 diagnosis groups using German nationwide ambulatory claims data. BMC Psychiatry 2020; 20: 142.
2.Arnaud AM, Brister TS, Duckworth K, et al. Impact of major depressive disorder on comorbidities: A systematic literature review. J Clin Psychiatry 2022; 83 (6): 21r14328.
3.Berk M, Köhler-Forsberg O, Turner M, et al. Comorbidity between major depressive disorder and physical diseases: a comprehensive review of epidemiology, mechanisms and management. World Psychiatry 2023; 22: (3) 366–387.
4.Frank P, Batty DG, Pentti J, et al. Association between depression and physical conditions requiring hospitalization. JAMA Psychiatry 2023; 80 (7): 690–699.
5.Srinivasan G, Kondalsamy-Chennakesavan S, McGrail M, et al. Depression and comorbid chronic physical health diseases in the Australian population: A scoping review. Aust N Z J Psychiatry 2025; 59 (4): 322–338.
