Efficacy of Metformin as an Adjunct to Standard Antidepressant Therapy in Treating Depression Among Obese Patients

This is a comparative clinical study with randomized groups. Participants will be allocated to either the metformin group or the placebo group in conjunction with standard antidepressant therapy. Randomization will be achieved using computer generated numbers in 1:1 ratio.

Metformin Group: Starting dose of 500 mg metformin once daily, titrated up to 2000 mg/day based on tolerance along with standard treatment of depression according to Maudsley guidelines.

Placebo Group: Identical placebo tablets, following the same titration schedule as the metformin group along with standard treatment of depression.

Study will take place at psychiatric Out Patient Department of Fazaia Ruth Pfau Medical College and Hospital Karachi Pakistan

Investigators will recruit participants from the psychiatric outpatient department of PAF Hospital diagnosed with depression according to Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition for at least 2 weeks and having obesity. depression is assessed with help of Hamilton Depression Scale (HAM-D). Participants whose score is above 8 and will meet the inclusion criteria will be added in study.

Informed consent:

Participants who meets the criteria will be asked for written informed consent form and explain in detail about the study

Base Line Data Collection After taking informed consent, detailed history, physical examination, HbA1c and serum creatinine will be measured. Participants whose HbA1c results is below 5.7% and creatinine clearance is above 30% will be selected in the study. Investigators will assess HbA1c, serum creatinine levels at every 12 weeks' interval. Serum levels of antioxidant enzymes (superoxide dismutase, catalase, glutathione peroxidase) will measured in participants by using biochemical assays at baseline and at the end of the study.

Follow up visits Participants will be followed up six times throughout the study duration. 1st follow up visit will occur at 4th week to evaluate the response to treatment by using Hamilton depression rating scale for depression, as according to Maudsley guidelines initial response to treatment should be assessed within 4 weeks. Next follow ups will take place at every 6th week till 36 weeks to assess improvement in depression and changes in BMI.

Inclusion criteria

• • Age >18 to <45 years

• Gender: Both genders (Male and Female)
• BMI >25
• Diagnosis: Newly diagnose cases of depression (mild to severe)
• HBA1C: Less than 5.7% (non-diabetic range)

Exclusion criteria

• Existing diabetes

• Acute illnesses like acute kidney injury, recent history of myocardial infarction, acute liver injury
• Intellectual disabilities or inability to understand due to any reason
• Presence of Psychiatric disorders other than depression
• Chronic kidney disease (eGFR < 45 mL/min/1.73 m²).
• Use of any psychotropic medication within the past 6 months.