March 18, 2009Psychosomatic Medicine163 citations
View Full PaperDepression and C-Reactive Protein: Population-Based Health 2000 Study
Key Result
Higher depression scores were associated with elevated C-reactive protein levels in men (beta = 0.12, p<0.001) and women (beta = 0.08, p<0.001), though it only persisted after adjustment in men.
Study Design
Type
Cross-Sectional (n=6,005)
Multicenter
Yes
Structured PICO
Is depression independently associated with elevated levels of C-reactive protein in a population-based sample?
P
Population
6,005 Finnish adults aged >30 years from a nationwide population-based sample assessed for the association between depression and C-reactive protein levels.
E
Exposure
Depression (assessed by Beck's Depression Inventory [BDI-21] and Composite International Diagnostic Interview [CIDI])
C
Comparator
Lower depression scores or absence of depression
O
Outcome
C-reactive protein (CRP) levelssurrogate
Depression is independently associated with elevated CRP levels in men, suggesting a sex-specific link between depressive symptoms and systemic inflammation.
Main Result
Effect estimate: beta = 0.12 (men), beta = 0.08 (women)
p-value: p=<0.001
Abstract
OBJECTIVE: To test whether depression is independently associated with elevated levels of C-reactive protein (CRP) in a large nationwide population-based sample. METHODS: Depression and CRP were assessed in 6005 Finns aged >30 years, as part of the ongoing population-based Health 2000 Study. Depression was determined by responses to the Beck's Depression Inventory (BDI-21) and by Composite International Diagnostic Interview (CIDI). RESULTS: Higher scores on BDI-21 were related to higher CRP levels (beta = 0.12, p < .001) in men and (beta = 0.08, p < .001) in women. In men, but not in women, this relationship persisted after adjustment for a number of other known risk factors. In men, the more recent dysthymic disorder or at least moderate depressive episode defined using CIDI was related to elevated CRP levels (beta = 0.06, p = .006). CONCLUSIONS: Depressive symptoms may be partly responsible for inflammatory processes, and inflammatory processes may induce depressive symptoms in men.