Association between lipid ratio and depression: a cross-sectional study

Area of Science:

• Cardiovascular Health
• Mental Health
• Biochemistry

Background:

• Depression is linked to various blood lipid levels, but its association with lipid ratios remains unclear.
• Understanding lipid ratios in depression is crucial for comprehensive cardiovascular and mental health assessments.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the correlation between depression and specific lipid ratios: total cholesterol/high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (TC/HDL-C), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol/high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C/HDL-C), and triglyceride/high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (TG/HDL-C).
• To explore potential sex differences in the association between lipid ratios and depression.

Main Methods:

• Utilized data from 11,648 adults (≥19 years) from the Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey.
• Assessed depression using the Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9).
• Employed complex sample logistic regression to analyze the odds ratios of depression concerning lipid ratios.

Main Results:

• Among men, an elevated TG/HDL-C ratio was significantly associated with a 1.041-fold increased probability of depression.
• No significant association was found between TC/HDL-C or LDL-C/HDL-C ratios and depression in men.
• None of the analyzed lipid ratios showed a significant association with depression in women.

Conclusions:

• The TG/HDL-C ratio is a potential indicator for depression risk specifically in men.
• Further research is warranted to validate these findings, elucidate underlying biological mechanisms, and determine clinical implications.