The association between pan-immune-inflammation value and depression: Data from NHANES 2005-2018

The primary objective of this study was to investigate the relationship between the pan-immune-inflammation value (PIV) and depression among U.S. adults.

A cross-sectional study was conducted using data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) spanning 2005 to 2018. Depression was assessed using the Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9). Weighted multivariable logistic regression models and restricted cubic spline (RCS) models were employed to investigate the association between PIV and depression risk. Subgroup and interaction analyses were performed to further explore these relationships.

A total of 28,384 participants were included in this study. Results demonstrated that individuals with depression had significantly higher PIV levels compared to non-depressed individuals (P < 0.001). Multivariable logistic regression revealed that elevated PIV levels were associated with a significantly increased risk of depression (OR = 1.02, 95 %CI: 1.01-1.04). Quartile analysis indicated that the highest PIV quartile (Q4) had a 19 % greater depression risk compared to the lowest quartile (OR = 1.19, 95 %CI: 1.01-1.41). The restricted cubic spline model confirmed a positive linear relationship between PIV and depression risk, with a significant increase in risk when PIV exceeded 300 (OR > 1). Subgroup analyses highlighted stronger associations in specific populations. These findings suggest that systemic inflammation, as measured by PIV, is associated with depression, particularly in these subgroups. The limitations of this study include: The use of self-reported questionnaires and the cross-sectional design preclude causal inference.

This population-based cross-sectional study indicates that elevated PIV is significantly associated with depression among U.S. adults.