Lack of association between plasma dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate (DHEA-S) levels and depression in hemodialysis patients: a cross-sectional study.
OBJECTIVE
Depression is common in hemodialysis patients. Reduced DHEA-S levels have been shown to be associated with depression in general population. Abnormalities in hormone production and metabolism are found in hemodialysis patients. However, the association between DHEA-S levels and depression in hemodialysis patients has not been established.


METHODS
We conducted a cross-sectional study, in which 80 patients under regular hemodialysis were studied, and their serum DHEA-S levels were analyzed.


RESULTS
The prevalence of depression in our studied hemodialysis population is 37.5% (30/80). The DHEA-S level was 1138.1+/-1216.9 ng/mL in male patients and 502.1+/-389.4 ng/mL in female patients. The levels were not significantly different between patients with or without depression (910.8+/-1127.1 ng/mL vs. 769.3+/-848.3 ng/mL, P=0.533). As compared to the non-depressed patients, the depressed patients were more likely to be male, with lower body mass index, consuming more alcohol, and with more co-morbidity. The prevalence of depression was not associated with age, educational background, smoking, duration of dialysis, hemoglobin, albumin, CRP, ferritin, and urea clearance (Kt/V and URR). The serum DHEA-S levels exhibited significant and independent associations with age, gender, diabetes mellitus, and the levels of serum albumin.


CONCLUSIONS
The study suggested a lack of association between plasma DHEA-S levels and depression in hemodialysis patients.
Hsu
Heng-Jung
HJ
School of Medicine, Chang Gung University, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Keelung, Taiwan.
Chen
Chih-Ken
CK
Hsiao
Cheng-Cheng
CC
Wu
I-Wen
IW
Sun
Chiao-Yin
CY
Chou
Chia-Chi
CC
Lee
Chin-Chan
CC
Tsai
Chi-Jen
CJ
Wu
Mai-Szu
MS
D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D019314:Dehydroepiandrosterone Sulfate / Q000097:blood*; D003866:Depressive Disorder / Q000097:blood* / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000523:psychology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007676:Kidney Failure, Chronic / Q000097:blood* / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000523:psychology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D015995:Prevalence; D006435:Renal Dialysis / Q000523:psychology*; D013624:Taiwan / Q000453:epidemiology
D019314:Dehydroepiandrosterone Sulfate