title: Depressive symptoms and levels of C-reactive protein: a population-based study.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Depression and depressive symptoms have been repeatedly linked to elevated levels of C-reactive protein (CRP) but questions remain as to the statistical robustness of the association and particularly whether the association between depression and CRP reflects the presence of a chronic disease.
  
  
  METHODS
  A random sample of 6,126 men and women aged 45-69 years was examined in a cross-sectional study in seven towns in the Czech Republic. Depressive symptoms were assessed by the Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression (CESD) scale.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression score was significantly related to increased levels of CRP in a linear fashion. After controlling for a range of potential confounders, subjects with depressive symptoms (CESD score >or= 16) had CRP concentrations 0.43 mg/l (95% CI 0.16-0.72) higher than those without symptoms. The association remained significant when study sample was restricted to healthy subjects; among individuals who did not report any chronic disease, the difference between those with and without depressive symptoms was 0.44 mg/l (95% CI 0.14-0.74), and among persons who did not visit a doctor in the last 12 months the difference was 1.20 mg/l (95% CI 0.52-1.87).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  These results confirm that there is a statistically robust association between depressive symptoms and increased levels of CRP. We did not find evidence that the association is due presence of a chronic condition.
authors.affiliation: Dept. of Epidemiology and Public Health, University College London, London, UK. h.pikhart@ucl.ac.uk
authors.forename: Hynek
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Pikhart
authors.forename: Jaroslav A
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Hubacek
authors.forename: Ruzena
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Kubinova
authors.forename: Amanda
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Nicholson
authors.forename: Anne
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Peasey
authors.forename: Nada
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Capkova
authors.forename: Rudolf
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Poledne
authors.forename: Martin
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Bobak
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D001008:Anxiety Disorders; D002097:C-Reactive Protein / Q000032:analysis*; D002908:Chronic Disease; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D018153:Czech Republic; D003863:Depression / Q000097:blood* / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000503:physiopathology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires
chemical_list: D002097:C-Reactive Protein