C-reactive protein and post-stroke depressive symptoms

Area of Science:

• Neuroscience
• Inflammation Research
• Clinical Medicine

Background:

• Post-stroke depression (PSD) is a common complication affecting patient recovery.
• Inflammation, indicated by C-reactive protein (CRP), is implicated in various neurological conditions.
• The relationship between inflammatory markers and early depressive symptoms post-stroke requires further elucidation.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the association between serum C-reactive protein (CRP) levels and the incidence of depressive symptoms after ischemic stroke or transient ischemic attack (TIA).
• To assess the temporal relationship between CRP levels and depressive symptoms at different time points post-stroke.

Main Methods:

• Prospective cohort study involving 572 patients with ischemic stroke or TIA.
• Serum CRP levels measured within 48 hours of stroke onset.
• Depressive symptoms assessed using standardized methods at day 8 and 3 months post-stroke.

Main Results:

• Patients with greater depressive symptoms at day 8 and 3 months post-stroke exhibited significantly higher median CRP levels (P < 0.01 and P = 0.01, respectively).
• Univariate analysis showed CRP levels > 9.2 mg/L associated with depressive symptoms at day 8 (OR: 2.06) and CRP > 4.3 mg/L associated with depressive symptoms at 3 months (OR: 1.79).
• Multivariate analysis confirmed higher CRP levels were related to depressive symptoms at day 8 (OR: 2.23, P < 0.01) but not at 3 months (OR: 1.13, P = 0.71).

Conclusions:

• Elevated serum C-reactive protein (CRP) levels are significantly associated with increased depressive symptoms observed at day 8 post-stroke.
• The association between higher CRP levels and depressive symptoms appears to diminish by 3 months after stroke.
• These findings suggest a role for early inflammatory processes in the development of acute depressive symptoms following stroke.