Gastric bypass surgery is associated with reduced inflammation and less depression: a preliminary investigation.
BACKGROUND
Prior studies have documented elevated symptoms of depression among patients undergoing gastric bypass surgery, in addition to significant elevations of inflammatory markers including C-reactive protein (CRP) and interleukin-6 (IL-6). No prior study has examined the relationship of changes in depression with change in inflammation among patients undergoing gastric bypass surgery. This pilot study was designed to examine the relationship of inflammation and depression among gastric bypass patients in a 12-month longitudinal study.


METHODS
13 Caucasian women (mean age 46.9 +/- 5.7 years) who were scheduled to undergo a Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (RYGBP) were recruited prior to surgery for measurement of body mass and blood markers of inflammation, as well as self-report measures of depression, quality of life, and disordered eating. 12 months later, subjects completed the same battery of physiological and psychological measures. Data were analyzed with paired t-tests and Pearson correlations.


RESULTS
In addition to significant reductions in BMI (P < .001), participants experienced significant reductions in CRP (P < .001), IL-6 (P = .002), and depressive symptoms (P = .025). Reductions also were observed in binge eating (P = .005). Decreased depression during the 12-month follow-up was highly correlated with reduced CRP (r = .98, P < .001).


CONCLUSIONS
Results from this pilot study indicate that RYGBP is associated with significant reductions in inflammatory markers of cardiovascular disease risk (e.g., CRP, IL-6) and depressive symptoms, in addition to reductions in weight. Results suggested that reductions in depression were associated with the observed decreases in inflammation.
Emery
Charles F
CF
Department of Psychology, Ohio State University, Columbus, OH 43210, USA. emery.33@osu.edu
Fondow
Meghan D M
MD
Schneider
Carol M
CM
Christofi
Fievos L
FL
Hunt
Chantal
C
Busby
Andrea K
AK
Needleman
Bradley J
BJ
Melvin
W Scott
WS
Elsayed-Awad
Hamdy M
HM
D000328:Adult; D002097:C-Reactive Protein / Q000378:metabolism*; D003866:Depressive Disorder / Q000097:blood / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D005260:Female; D015390:Gastric Bypass; D006801:Humans; D015850:Interleukin-6 / Q000097:blood*; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D008875:Middle Aged; D009767:Obesity, Morbid / Q000097:blood* / Q000523:psychology* / Q000601:surgery; D011581:Psychological Tests; D011788:Quality of Life; D015431:Weight Loss / Q000502:physiology
D015850:Interleukin-6; D002097:C-Reactive Protein