title: Autoantibodies are not predictive markers for the development of depressive symptoms in a population-based cohort of older adults.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Autoantibodies have been implicated in the etiologic pathway of depressive disorders. Here, we determine the association between the presence of a panel of autoantibodies at baseline and change in depression symptom score over 5-year follow-up in a cohort of healthy elderly Australians.
  
  
  METHODS
  Serum samples from 2049 randomly selected subjects enrolled in the Hunter Community Study (HCS) aged 55-85 years were assayed for a range of autoimmune markers (anti-nuclear autoantibodies, extractable nuclear antigen autoantibodies, anti-neutrophil cytoplasmic autoantibodies, thyroid peroxidase autoantibodies, tissue transglutaminase autoantibodies, anti-cardiolipin autoantibodies, rheumatoid factor and cyclic citrullinated peptide autoantibodies) at baseline. Depression symptom score was assessed using the Centre for Epidemiological Study (CES-D) scale at baseline and 5 years later.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Autoantibody prevalence varied amongst our sample with ANA being the most prevalent; positive in 16% and borderline in 36% of study population. No evidence for a relationship was found between change in CES-D score over time and any autoimmune marker. Statins and high cholesterol were significantly associated with change in CES-D score over time in univariate analysis; however, these were probably confounded since they failed to remain significant following multivariable analysis.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Autoantibodies were not associated with change in CES-D score over time. These findings point to an absence of autoimmune mechanisms in the general population or in moderate cases of depression.
authors.affiliation: Centre for Clinical Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Faculty of Health, School of Medicine and Public Health, University of Newcastle, Callaghan, NSW, Australia; Hunter Medical Research Institute Building, Level 3, Kookaburra Circuit, New Lambton Heights, NSW 2305, Australia. Electronic address: c3054392@uon.edu.au.
authors.forename: R A
authors.initials: RA
authors.lastname: Iseme
authors.affiliation: Centre for Clinical Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Faculty of Health, School of Medicine and Public Health, University of Newcastle, Callaghan, NSW, Australia; Hunter Medical Research Institute Building, Level 3, Kookaburra Circuit, New Lambton Heights, NSW 2305, Australia.
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: McEvoy
authors.affiliation: Centre for Translational Neuroscience and Mental Health Research, The University of Newcastle, Callaghan, NSW, Australia.
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Kelly
authors.affiliation: Brain Behaviour Research Group, School of Science and Technology, University of New England, McClymont Building (W34) 353, Armidale, NSW 2351, Australia.
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Agnew
authors.affiliation: Centre for Clinical Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Faculty of Health, School of Medicine and Public Health, University of Newcastle, Callaghan, NSW, Australia; Hunter Medical Research Institute Building, Level 3, Kookaburra Circuit, New Lambton Heights, NSW 2305, Australia; Division of Medicine, John Hunter Hospital, Lookout Road, New Lambton Heights, NSW 2305, Australia.
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Attia
authors.affiliation: Laboratory of Affective Neuroscience, Medical Sciences MSB306, University of Newcastle, University Drive, Callaghan, NSW 2308, Australia.
authors.forename: F R
authors.initials: FR
authors.lastname: Walker
authors.affiliation: Centre for Clinical Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Faculty of Health, School of Medicine and Public Health, University of Newcastle, Callaghan, NSW, Australia; Hunter Medical Research Institute Building, Level 3, Kookaburra Circuit, New Lambton Heights, NSW 2305, Australia.
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Oldmeadow
authors.affiliation: Division of Medicine, John Hunter Hospital, Lookout Road, New Lambton Heights, NSW 2305, Australia.
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Boyle
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001315:Australia / Q000453:epidemiology; D001323:Autoantibodies / Q000097:blood / Q000145:classification; D003863:Depression / Q000097:blood / Q000175:diagnosis; D003866:Depressive Disorder / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000276:immunology / Q000523:psychology; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D015995:Prevalence; D011569:Psychiatric Status Rating Scales
chemical_list: D001323:Autoantibodies
keywords: Autoantibodies; Autoimmune markers; Autoimmunity; Centre for Epidemiological Study Depression (CES-D) scale; Depression; Depressive symptoms