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Major depressive disorders increase the susceptibility to self-reported infections in two German cohort studies

Henning Elpers1, Henning Teismann1, Jürgen Wellmann1

  • 1Institute of Epidemiology and Social Medicine, University of Münster, Albert-Schweitzer-Campus 1, 48149, Münster, Germany.

Social Psychiatry and Psychiatric Epidemiology
|July 5, 2022
PubMed
Abstract

Insights

Major depressive disorder (MDD) is linked to a higher risk of infections, with more severe depressive symptoms correlating with increased infection frequency. This suggests a potential need for preventative measures in MDD patients.

Area of Science:

  • Psychiatry
  • Infectious Diseases
  • Epidemiology

Background:

  • Major depressive disorder (MDD) has been linked to increased hospitalizations from acute infections in prior studies.
  • The causal relationship and generalized susceptibility to infections in MDD patients remain unclear.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the effect of MDD on self-reported infections.
  • To determine if there is a dose-response relationship between depressive symptom severity and infection frequency.

Main Methods:

  • Utilized data from two cohort studies, BiDirect (n=925) and HaBIDS (n=1007).
  • Assessed self-reported infections using identical questionnaires.
  • Employed the Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale (CES-D) to measure depressive symptom severity.

Main Results:

  • MDD patients showed a higher risk of lower respiratory tract infections, gastrointestinal infections, and fever.
  • A dose-response relationship was observed: higher CES-D scores correlated with more reported infections.
  • Similar effect sizes were found in both cohort studies.

Conclusions:

  • Patients diagnosed with MDD face increased risks of mild infections.
  • A clear dose-response relationship exists between depressive symptom severity and infection frequency.
  • Findings may inform prevention strategies, such as recommending vaccinations for MDD patients, similar to those with cardiovascular or metabolic diseases.
Keywords:
Causal inferenceDisease susceptibilityInfectionsMajor depressive disorder

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