Cited by 489Tryptophan and brain disordersStress Responses and CortisolTreatment of Major Depression

Elevated C-Reactive Protein Levels, Psychological Distress, and Depression in 73 131 Individuals

Wium-Andersen, Marie Kim, Ørsted, David Dynnes, Nielsen, Sune Fallgaard, Nordestgaard, Børge Grønne·2013·JAMA Psychiatry

Abstract

CONTEXT The pathogenesis of depression is not fully understood, but studies suggest that low-grade systemic inflammation contributes to the development of depression. OBJECTIVE To test whether elevated plasma levels of C-reactive protein (CRP) are associated with psychological distress and depression. DESIGN We performed cross-sectional and prospective analyses of CRP levels in 4 clinically relevant categories using data from 2 general population studies. SETTING The Copenhagen General Population and the Copenhagen City Heart studies. PARTICIPANTS We examined 73 131 men and women aged 20 to 100 years. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES We ascertained psychological distress with 2 single-item self-reports and depression using self-reported antidepressant use, register-based prescription of antidepressants, and register-based hospitalization with depression. RESULTS In cross-sectional analyses, increasing CRP levels were associated with increasing risk for psychological distress and depression (P = 3 × 10-8 to P = 4 × 10-105 for trend). For self-reported use of antidepressants, the odds ratio was 1.38 (95% CI, 1.23-1.55) for CRP levels of 1.01 to 3.00 mg/L, 2.02 (1.77-2.30) for 3.01 to 10.00 mg/L, and 2.70 (2.25-3.25) for greater than 10.00 mg/L compared with 0.01 to 1.00 mg/L. For prescription of antidepressants, the corresponding odds ratios were 1.08 (95% CI, 0.99-1.17), 1.47 (1.33-1.62), and 1.77 (1.52-2.05), respectively; for hospitalization with depression, 1.30 (1.01-1.67), 1.84 (1.39-2.43), and 2.27 (1.54-3.32), respectively. In prospective analyses, increasing CRP levels were also associated with increasing risk for hospitalization with depression (P = 4 × 10-8 for trend). CONCLUSIONS Elevated levels of CRP are associated with increased risk for psychological distress and depression in the general population.

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Crossref · 10.1001/2013.jamapsychiatry.102

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Authors
Wium-Andersen, M. K., Ørsted, D. D., Nielsen, S. F., & Nordestgaard, B. G.
Corresponding author
Nordestgaard, Børge Grønne
Venue
JAMA Psychiatry
Published
2013-02-01
Volume
70
Issue
2
Pages
176
ISSN
2168-622X (ISSN-L)
OpenAlex
W2094845811
Cited by
489
References
38
Citations by year
2026: 20 · 2025: 23 · 2024: 28 · 2023: 35 · 2022: 44 · 2021: 58 · 2020: 47 · 2019: 44 · 2018: 40 · 2017: 28 · 2016: 34 · 2015: 38 · 2014: 29 · 2013: 20 · 2012: 1
FWCI
8.67
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
closed
Locations
  • JAMA Psychiatry (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
  • Research at the University of Copenhagen (University of Copenhagen) (publishedVersion)
Topics
  • Life Sciences › Neuroscience › Biological Psychiatry › Tryptophan and brain disorders
  • Life Sciences › Neuroscience › Behavioral Neuroscience › Stress Responses and Cortisol
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Pharmacology › Treatment of Major Depression
Keywords
C-reactive protein, depression, psychological distress, systemic inflammation, antidepressant use, general population, depression biomarkers
MeSH terms
Antidepressive Agents, C-Reactive Protein, Cross-Sectional Studies, Denmark, Depression, Depressive Disorder, Female, Health Surveys, Hospitalization, Humans, Inflammation, Male, Middle Aged, Prospective Studies, Risk Factors, Odds Ratio, Self Report

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