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Depressive symptoms and levels of C-reactive protein: a population-based study
Hynek Pikhart1, Jaroslav A Hubacek, Ruzena Kubinova
1Dept. of Epidemiology and Public Health, University College London, London, UK. h.pikhart@ucl.ac.uk
Insights
Depressive symptoms are robustly linked to higher C-reactive protein (CRP) levels. This association persists even in individuals without chronic disease, suggesting inflammation may play a role in depression.
Area of Science:
- Biomedical research
- Psychiatry
- Inflammation research
Background:
- Depression is frequently associated with elevated C-reactive protein (CRP).
- The robustness of this link and its relation to chronic disease remain unclear.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the statistical robustness of the association between depressive symptoms and CRP levels.
- To determine if this association is influenced by the presence of chronic disease.
Main Methods:
- A cross-sectional study of 6,126 adults aged 45-69 in the Czech Republic.
- Assessed depressive symptoms using the Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression (CESD) scale.
- Measured C-reactive protein (CRP) levels.
Main Results:
- A significant linear relationship was found between CESD scores and CRP levels.
- Individuals with depressive symptoms (CESD score ≥16) had 0.43 mg/l higher CRP concentrations.
- The association remained significant in healthy subjects and those without recent doctor visits.
Conclusions:
- A statistically robust association exists between depressive symptoms and elevated CRP levels.
- Evidence does not support the hypothesis that chronic disease explains the depression-CRP link.
Background:
Depression and depressive symptoms have been repeatedly linked to elevated levels of C-reactive protein (CRP) but questions remain as to the statistical robustness of the association and particularly whether the association between depression and CRP reflects the presence of a chronic disease.
Methods:
A random sample of 6,126 men and women aged 45-69 years was examined in a cross-sectional study in seven towns in the Czech Republic. Depressive symptoms were assessed by the Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression (CESD) scale.
Results:
Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression score was significantly related to increased levels of CRP in a linear fashion. After controlling for a range of potential confounders, subjects with depressive symptoms (CESD score >or= 16) had CRP concentrations 0.43 mg/l (95% CI 0.16-0.72) higher than those without symptoms. The association remained significant when study sample was restricted to healthy subjects; among individuals who did not report any chronic disease, the difference between those with and without depressive symptoms was 0.44 mg/l (95% CI 0.14-0.74), and among persons who did not visit a doctor in the last 12 months the difference was 1.20 mg/l (95% CI 0.52-1.87).
Conclusions:
These results confirm that there is a statistically robust association between depressive symptoms and increased levels of CRP. We did not find evidence that the association is due presence of a chronic condition.
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