Depression and Routine Biochemical Markers: A Cross Sectional Study

ABSTRACT

Background: Today, globally up to 6–12% of the adult population suffered mental disorder and recurrent depression. The prevalence of depression in India was reported as 4.5% by WHO. Currently the diagnosis of major depression is carried out through symptom-based assessment process, which has limitation of the development of personalised treatment plans. Objective: To determine the association between various biochemical markers of the inflammation, lipid profile, BMI, thyroid profile and depression among the patients attending department of psychiatry in a tertiary care centre. Methods: A cross-sectional study conducted among 50 patients attending the psychiatry department at S.N. Medical college, Agra and diagnosed as Depression disorder, during April 2012 to December 2012. Hamilton rating scale (HAM-D) was used to assess the severity of depression. The patients were also assessed for their vitals, lipid profile, thyroid profile, ESR, CRP and BMI. Results: 19 (38%) study subjects were in the age group of 18yrs to 30 yrs with mean age as 34.2 ±14.57 years. 36(72%) were of normal weight or under-weight and14 (28%) were pre-obese. Among 14 pre-obese and obese study subjects, 2(15.4%) had mild, 4(18.2%) had moderate and 8(53.3%) had severe type of depression(p=0.03). ESR is more in severe depression as compared to mild and moderate depression. (p=<0.001%). C-reactive protein is statistically more in severe depression (T =2.25; P= < 0.001). Conclusions: There is a positive and significant relationship between the severity of depression and ESR, CRP and BMI among the patients attending department of psychiatry.