title: The relationships between high-sensitivity C-reactive protein and incident depressed mood among older adults.
abstract: Abstract Background. High levels of high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) are associated with depressed mood, but the causal relationships are not known. Therefore, we examined the relationships between hs-CRP and incident depressed mood among the elderly. Methods. Altogether 764 (69%) individuals out of a representative sample of subjects aged 70 years or older (N = 1113) were screened with the Short Zung Self Rating Depression Scale (SZSRDS), and serum hs-CRP determinations were done at the same time. After a two-and-a-half-year follow-up, the SZSRDS examinations were repeated among those who were free of depressed mood (SZSRDS score >or=28 or use of an anti-depressant drug) at the baseline (N = 404). Analysis of covariance (ANCOVA) and logistic regression were used to analyse the relationship between the baseline hs-CRP (<1, 1 < 3, 3 <10 mg/L) and the follow-up SZSRDS scores (10-40) and depressed mood. Results. Baseline hs-CRP was not associated with an increasing trend in SZSRDS scores and depressed mood in the total study population, but there was a significant gender interaction. Among the men, elevated hs-CRP was associated with an increasing trend in the SZSRDS score and depressed mood. Conclusions. High hs-CRP predicts a higher incident SZSRDS score and depressed mood among older men, suggesting a possible inflammatory etiology for depression.
authors.affiliation: Department of Medical Rehabilitation, Oulu University Hospital, Institute of Health Sciences, University of Oulu, Oulu, Finland. heikki.luukinen@oulu.fi
authors.forename: Heikki
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Luukinen
authors.forename: Jari
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Jokelainen
authors.forename: Pirjo
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Hedberg
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D002097:C-Reactive Protein / Q000032:analysis / Q000378:metabolism*; D003072:Cognition Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis; D003863:Depression / Q000097:blood* / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology; D005260:Female; D005387:Finland; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D016015:Logistic Models; D008297:Male; D011569:Psychiatric Status Rating Scales; D012727:Sex Characteristics; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires
chemical_list: D002097:C-Reactive Protein