Association between C-reactive protein and generalized anxiety disorder in stable coronary heart disease patients

Area of Science:

• Cardiology
• Psychiatry
• Biomarkers

Background:

• Major depressive disorder (MDD) and anxiety disorders are prevalent in patients with stable coronary heart disease (CHD).
• Cardiac biomarkers like C-reactive protein (CRP), troponin T (TnT), and NT-proBNP may reflect underlying pathophysiological processes in CHD patients with mental health conditions.

Purpose of the Study:

• To comprehensively evaluate the associations between MDD, anxiety disorder, and comorbid MDD/anxiety disorder with cardiac biomarkers in stable CHD patients.
• To investigate the relationship between CRP, TnT, NT-proBNP, and psychiatric disorders in this population.

Main Methods:

• A cross-sectional study of 120 stable CHD outpatients was conducted.
• Psychiatric diagnoses were confirmed using the structured clinical interview for DSM-IV.
• Binomial logistic regression analyses were performed to assess associations between biomarkers and psychiatric conditions.

Main Results:

• C-reactive protein (CRP) was significantly associated with generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) (P=0.04) after adjusting for covariates.
• Troponin T (TnT) showed associations with hyperlipidaemia, obesity history, and education level.
• NT-proBNP was associated with type II diabetes (P=0.005).
• Major depressive disorder (MDD) and comorbid MDD/anxiety disorder did not show significant associations with the studied biomarkers.

Conclusions:

• C-reactive protein (CRP) is associated with generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) in stable coronary heart disease (CHD) patients.
• The study highlights the specific link between CRP and GAD, suggesting potential inflammatory pathways involved.