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Depression and serum low-density lipoprotein: A systematic review and meta-analysis

Jane E Persons¹, Jess G Fiedorowicz²

¹Department of Epidemiology, College of Public Health, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA, United States; Department of Psychiatry, Carver College of Medicine, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA, United States.

Journal of Affective Disorders

|July 29, 2016

Abstract

Background:

A cross-sectional association between depression and serum low-density lipoprotein (LDL) has been noted in the literature. This study aims to employ meta-analytic techniques to clarify the relationship between depression and serum LDL.

Methods:

Published articles through April 2015 were identified through systematic query of PubMed with follow-up manual searches. Data from 36 studies reporting mean difference and 7 studies reporting odds ratios were analyzed separately.

Results:

Meta-analysis of studies modeling serum LDL as a continuous measure demonstrates overall significantly lower serum LDL in depression (Mean difference=-4.29, 95% CI=-8.19, -0.40, p=0.03). Meta-analysis of studies modeling serum LDL as a categorical measure demonstrates a marginally significant lower odds of depression in the presence of low serum LDL relative to high serum LDL (OR=0.90, 95% CI=0.80, 1.01, p=0.08).

Limitations:

High heterogeneity was noted across sampled studies, which may be a function of variations in study design, participants sampled, or other factors. The potential for publication bias was also assessed.

Conclusions:

This meta-analysis demonstrates a cross-sectional link between depression and low serum LDL.

Keywords:

Cholesterol Depression Lipids Low-density lipoprotein Meta-analysis

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