Roles of c-reactive protein in the onset of dysthymia and its effects on the therapeutic efficacy / 第三军医大学学报

ABSTRACT

Objective To investigate the roles of c-reactive protein (CRP) in the onset of dysthymia and its effects on the therapeutic efficacy. Methods Ninety six patients with dysthymia (male37, female 59) were examined using Hamilton depression scale (HAMD) to determine their status of depression at 2 months before and after treatment with fluoxetine. Another 50 normal subjects were employed as the controls. CRP levels were measured by scatter turbidimetry by TurboxR special protein analysis system (Finland) in all subjects. Results All depression scores of normal subjects according to HAMD depression scale were under 17 and their serum CRP concentrations were at a basic level. The prevalence rate of increase of serum c-reactive protein in dysthymia was 43.8%(42/96). The average serum CRP level in patients with dysthymia was significantly higher than that in normal subjects (P0.05). Conclusion Serum CRP concentration maybe an important evoking factor of dysthymia. It may not increase the severity of depression but may impede the early improvement of symptoms.