title: A comparison of inflammatory markers in depressed and nondepressed smokers.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Both smoking and depression have been associated with increased inflammatory markers. As there are few studies on inflammatory markers that distinguish between depressed and nondepressed smokers, it is unclear if there is a cumulative impact of these mediators of inflammation. The aim of this study was to investigate inflammatory markers in tobacco smokers and compare depressed and nondepressed smokers.
  
  
  METHODS
  Smokers (n = 155) were recruited from the Cigarette Smoking Cessation Service, Londrina. Mental health status was assessed using the Diagnostic Interview for Research, in accordance with the International Classification of the Disorders-10th (ICD-10). Demographic information was collected by self-report questionnaire, and the Fagerström Test for Nicotine Dependence was administered. Blood specimens were simultaneously collected and measured for C-reactive protein (hs-CRP), tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α), and interleukin-6 (IL-6).
  
  
  RESULTS
  Depressed smokers had significantly higher levels of hs-CRP (p = .05), IL-6 (p = .039), and TNF-α (p = .021) compared with nondepressed smokers. Depressed smokers were also significantly more likely than nondepressed smokers to have been hospitalized in the previous month (p < .032), to suffer from cardiovascular disease (p < .001) and lung disease (p < .003), and to have more work-related disability (p = .001).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  These findings demonstrate that depressed smokers had higher hs-CRP, IL-6, and TNF-α levels than nondepressed smokers and had worse physical health outcomes and greater work-related disability. This may have important implications in identifying shared risk pathways for depressive and somatic disorders.
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychiatry, Health Sciences Center, Londrina State University, University Hospital, Londrina, Brazil. sandranunes@sercomtel.com.br
authors.forename: Sandra Odebrecht Vargas
authors.initials: SO
authors.lastname: Nunes
authors.forename: Heber Odebrecht
authors.initials: HO
authors.lastname: Vargas
authors.forename: Juliana
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Brum
authors.forename: Eduardo
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Prado
authors.forename: Mateus Mendonça
authors.initials: MM
authors.lastname: Vargas
authors.forename: Márcia Regina Pizzo
authors.initials: MR
authors.lastname: de Castro
authors.forename: Seetal
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Dodd
authors.forename: Michael
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Berk
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000097:blood*; D003863:Depression / Q000097:blood*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007249:Inflammation / Q000097:blood*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011793:Queensland; D012907:Smoking / Q000097:blood*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D015415:Biomarkers