Our aim is to determine the association between the two comorbidities using the Public Health Questionnaire-9 scale (PHQ-9) and the National Cholesterol Education Program Adult Treatment Panel III (NCEP-ATP III).Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted at a tertiary healthcare hospital in South India, using consecutive non-probabilistic sampling. A total of 332 eligible adults above 18 years of age consented. The PHQ- 9 for depression and NCEP-ATP III for MetS were used. The data was collected, coded, and analyzed using chi- square and linear regression techniques to determine the significance and strength of the relationship between MetS and depression.The mean age of participants with metabolic syndrome is significantly higher than those without MetS (49.06±8.49 vs 46.32±9.23 years, p-value=0.005).Conclusion: Subjects with MetS are significantly older than subjects without Mets. There is a significant association between MetS and depression. Early identification of depression in patients with MetS is important and can enhance their quality of life.

Keywords : Depression; Diabetes; Metabolic syndrome; Mental health; Hypertension.