Association between hs-CRP and depressive symptoms: a cross-sectional study

Area of Science:

• Biomedical Research
• Clinical Investigation
• Public Health

Background:

• High-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) is a key biomarker for low-grade inflammation.
• hs-CRP offers superior cardiovascular disease risk assessment compared to traditional markers.
• Understanding inflammation's role in mental health is crucial for comprehensive patient care.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the association between hs-CRP levels and depressive symptoms in a general adult population.
• To determine if hs-CRP is a significant predictor of depressive symptoms.
• To explore potential demographic differences in this association.

Main Methods:

• Utilized data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) spanning 2017-2020.
• Employed multiple logistic regression and smoothed curve fitting to analyze hs-CRP and depressive symptom data.
• Conducted subgroup analyses and interaction tests for population-specific insights.

Main Results:

• A positive correlation was observed between increasing hs-CRP levels and the prevalence of depressive symptoms.
• Each unit increase in hs-CRP was associated with a 10% rise in the odds of depressive symptoms (OR=1.10).
• Individuals in the highest hs-CRP quartile showed a 39% greater prevalence of depressive symptoms compared to the lowest quartile (OR=1.39).
• The positive association between hs-CRP and depressive symptoms was more pronounced in men.

Conclusions:

• A significant positive association exists between elevated hs-CRP levels and depressive symptoms in adult Americans.
• This inflammation-depression link is more prominent in males.
• hs-CRP may serve as a potential indicator for depressive symptom risk, particularly in men.