C-reactive protein level correlation with depression and anxiety among patients with coronary artery disease

Some studies have reported that depression is associated with higher levels of C-reactive protein (CRP) a marker of systemic inflammation that has been shown consistently to predict coronary heart disease risk. The aim of our study was to investigate the association between history of depressive episode and anxiety and presence of low-grade systemic inflammation as measured by serum CRP in postoperative period of coronary angioplasty and aorto-coronary bypass graft surgery. The research was performed in 80 patients (n = 80), mean age 60 ± 15 years. These patients have no high cholesterol level, high body mass index and n = 64 (80%) of them are no smoker. To evaluate depression we used Beck depression scale. Anxiety was assessed by the Spilberger State-trait anxiety scale. CRP was measured in venous blood. Results show that increased level of C-reactive protein was found in aorto-coronary bypass graft surgery group n = 28 (70%), in angioplasty group C-reactive protein n = 12 (30%); χ² = 6.40 p = 0.012. In angioplasty group patients who had increased level of CRP had high degree of depression p = 0.001. In these group was revealed high degree of trait anxiety p < 0.001 too. In aorto-coronary bypass surgery group elevated level of CRP was associated with high degree of depression p = 0.001. Our study demonstrated association between depression, anxiety and increased C-reactive protein level. Inflammation, the key regulator of CRP synthesis, plays a pivotal role in atherothrombotic cardiovascular disease. Our findings have important implications for explaining the pathophysiological mechanisms of cardiovascular disease.