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Depression and anxiety both associate with serum level of hs-CRP: A gender-stratified analysis in a population-based
Maryam Tayefi1, Mojtaba Shafiee2, Seyyed Mohammad Reza Kazemi-Bajestani3
1Metabolic Syndrome Research Center, School of Medicine, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran.
Insights
Depression and anxiety disorders are linked to higher inflammation markers, especially in men. Obesity and smoking are also associated with these mood disorders, with obesity being more prevalent in women with depression and anxiety.
Area of Science:
- Cardiovascular Health
- Psychiatry
- Inflammation Research
Background:
- Depression and anxiety are common mood disorders frequently comorbid with chronic diseases like cardiovascular diseases (CVDs).
- Hyper-inflammation is implicated in both CVDs and psychological conditions, suggesting it may mediate the link between depression and cardiovascular health.
- Understanding this relationship is crucial for comprehensive patient care.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the gender-specific association between depression/anxiety symptoms and serum high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) levels.
- To examine the relationship between mood disorders and inflammation-linked conditions in a large Iranian population.
- To explore potential gender differences in these associations.
Main Methods:
- A population-based cohort study (MASHAD) in Iran included 9759 participants (40% males, 60% females) aged 35-65.
- Symptoms of depression and anxiety were assessed using the Beck Depression and Anxiety Inventories.
- Participants were categorized into severity groups (minimal, low, moderate, severe) for both conditions, and serum hs-CRP levels were measured.
Main Results:
- Serum hs-CRP levels increased with the severity of depression and anxiety disorders.
- Severe depression was associated with significantly higher hs-CRP in men (p<0.001) compared to women (p=0.04).
- Severe anxiety also showed a significant association with higher hs-CRP (p<0.001). Women with severe depression/anxiety had higher BMI, and smoking was positively linked to both disorders.
Conclusions:
- Depression and anxiety disorders are associated with elevated hs-CRP levels, with a more pronounced link in men.
- A significant association exists between these mood disorders and inflammation-related conditions like smoking and obesity.
- The association between depression/anxiety and obesity was specifically observed in women.
Background:
Depression and anxiety are two important mood disorders that are frequently associated with chronic diseases such as cardiovascular diseases (CVDs). Hyper-inflammation is related to both CVDs and psychological conditions such as depression and anxiety. Therefore, inflammation may partially explain the relationship between depression and cardiovascular disease.
Objective:
The objective of this study was to perform a gender-stratified examination of the association between symptoms of depression/anxiety disorders and serum hs-CRP and inflammation linked conditions in a large Iranian population.
Methods:
Symptoms of depression and anxiety disorders and serum hs-CRP levels were measured in 9759 participants (40% males and 60% females) aged 35-65 years, enrolled in a population-based cohort (MASHAD) study in north-eastern Iran. Symptoms of depression and anxiety were evaluated with Beck Depression and Anxiety Inventories. According to the scores of depression and anxiety, individuals were categorized into four groups of no or minimal, low, moderate and severe categories.
Results:
The median serum hs-CRP concentration increased with increasing severity of depression and anxiety disorders. Male participants with severe depression had significantly higher levels of hs-CRP (p<0.001); however, this relationship was less marked among women (p=0.04). Subjects with severe anxiety also had significantly higher levels of hs-CRP (p<0.001). Moreover, women with severe depression and anxiety had higher BMI. There was also a positive association between current smoking habit and depression/anxiety disorders.
Conclusion:
Depression and anxiety disorders are associated with elevated levels of hs-CRP, particularly among men. Also, there is a significant positive association between depression/anxiety disorders and inflammation linked conditions such as smoking and obesity; however, in the case of obesity this association is only present in women.