Leptin in depressed women: cross-sectional and longitudinal data from an epidemiologic study.
BACKGROUND
There is conflicting evidence regarding levels of leptin in depression. In this study we aimed to investigate the relationship between serum leptin level and depression in a community sample of women using both cross-sectional and longitudinal data.


METHODS
From among 510 women aged 20-78 yr, 83 were identified with a lifetime history of major depressive disorder or dysthymia, ascertained using the Structured Clinical Interview for DSM-IV-TR Research Version, Non-patient edition (SCID-I/NP). Serum leptin levels were measured by radioimmunoassay. Medication use and lifestyle were self-reported and body mass index (BMI) determined from measures of height and weight.


RESULTS
Using multiple linear regression, serum leptin levels were greater among women with a lifetime history of depression compared to women without any history of depression, independent of BMI. Adjusted geometric mean values of serum leptin were 16.37 (95%CI 14.70-18.23) ng/mL for depressed and 14.46 (95%CI 13.79-15.16) ng/mL for non-depressed women (P=0.039). The hazard ratio (HR) for a de novo depressive disorder over five years increased 2.56-fold for each standard deviation increase in log-transformed serum leptin among non-smokers and this was not explained by differences in BMI, medications or other lifestyle factors (HR=2.56, 95%CI 1.52-4.30). No association was observed for smokers.


CONCLUSIONS
There is potential for unrecognised confounding, recall bias and transient changes in body composition.


CONCLUSIONS
Women with a lifetime history of depression have elevated levels of serum leptin, and elevated serum leptin predicts subsequent development of a depressive disorder.
Pasco
Julie A
JA
Department of Clinical and Biomedical Sciences: Barwon Health, The University of Melbourne, Geelong 3220, Australia. juliep@barwonhealth.org.au
Jacka
Felice N
FN
Williams
Lana J
LJ
Henry
Margaret J
MJ
Nicholson
Geoffrey C
GC
Kotowicz
Mark A
MA
Berk
Michael
M
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001315:Australia / Q000453:epidemiology; D015992:Body Mass Index; D015897:Comorbidity; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D003865:Major Depressive Disorder / Q000097:blood* / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology*; D019263:Dysthymic Disorder / Q000097:blood / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D020738:Leptin / Q000097:blood*; D008019:Life Style; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011379:Prognosis; D016016:Proportional Hazards Models; D011569:Psychiatric Status Rating Scales; D011863:Radioimmunoassay; D012008:Recurrence; D012307:Risk Factors; D012907:Smoking / Q000453:epidemiology; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires
D020738:Leptin