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Cited by 544Tryptophan and brain disordersCardiac Health and Mental HealthStress Responses and Cortisol

Depression and C-Reactive Protein in US Adults: Data From the Third National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey

Ford, Daniel E., Erlinger, Thomas P.·2004·Archives of Internal Medicine
DOI 10.1001/archinte.164.9.1010
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Abstract

BACKGROUND: The biological mechanisms by which depression might increase risk of cardiovascular disease are not clear. Inflammation may be a key element in the development of atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease. Our objective was to determine the association between major depression and elevated C-reactive protein (CRP) level in a nationally representative cohort. METHODS: We estimated the odds of elevated CRP level (>0.21 mg/mL) associated with depression in 6914 noninstitutionalized men and women (age, 18-39 years) from the Third National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES III). RESULTS: The prevalence of lifetime major depression was 5.7% for men and 11.7% for women. The prevalence of elevated CRP level was 13.7% for men and 27.3% for women. A history of major depression was associated with elevated CRP level (odds ratio [OR], 1.64; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.20-2.24). The association between depression and CRP was much stronger among men than among women. Results were adjusted for age, African American race, body mass index, total cholesterol, log triglycerides, diabetes, systolic blood pressure, smoking status, alcohol use, estrogen use in women, aspirin use, ibuprofen use, and self-reported health status. Compared with men without a history of depression, CRP levels were higher among men who had a more recent (within 1 year) episode of depression (adjusted OR, 3.00; 95% CI, 1.39-6.48) and who had recurrent (>or=2 episodes) depression (adjusted OR, 3.55; 95% CI, 1.55-8.14). CONCLUSION: Major depression is strongly associated with increased levels of CRP among men and could help explain the increased risk of cardiovascular disease associated with depression in men.

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  • Given the consistency of the study's findings regarding other correlates of adult inflammation with evidence from different population-based studies worldwide, there is reason to believe that the results may be replicated in other settings.

    “However, given the consistency of our findings regarding other correlates of adult inflammation [e.g., low birth weight (13), low childhood socioeconomic status (SES) (14), and depression (17)] with evidence reported from different population-based studies worldwide, there is reason to believe that our results may be replicated in other settings.”

    From Childhood maltreatment predicts adult inflammation in a life-course study (2007) · cites this paper as [17]

  • CRP levels were higher among men who had a recent episode of depression and who had recurrent depression.

    “Moreover, CRP levels were higher among men who had a recent episode of depression and who had recurrent depression.”

    From C-Reactive protein as a biomarker for major depressive disorder? (2022) · cites this paper as [55]

  • In 6914 participants, a history of MDD was associated with elevated CRP levels and this association was much stronger among men than women.

    “Ford and Erlinger (2004) [55] found in 6914 participants (3154 men and 3760 women), recruited from the NHANES survey, that a history of MDD was associated with elevated CRP levels and that this association was much stronger among men than women.”

    From C-Reactive protein as a biomarker for major depressive disorder? (2022) · cites this paper as [55]

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Authors
Ford, D. E., & Erlinger, T. P.
Affiliations
Johns Hopkins University (US)
ORCID
Venue
Archives of Internal Medicine
Publisher
American Medical Association (AMA)
Published
2004-05-10
Volume
164
Issue
9
Pages
1010
ISSN
0003-9926 (ISSN-L)
DOI
10.1001/archinte.164.9.1010
OpenAlex
W1982699098
Cited by
544
References
27
Citations by year
2026: 14 · 2025: 12 · 2024: 18 · 2023: 23 · 2022: 26 · 2021: 27 · 2020: 26 · 2019: 27 · 2018: 28 · 2017: 22 · 2016: 36 · 2015: 23 · 2014: 22 · 2013: 24 · 2012: 27
FWCI
11.99
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
closed
Locations
  • Archives of Internal Medicine (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
Topics
  • Life Sciences › Neuroscience › Biological Psychiatry › Tryptophan and brain disorders
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Cardiology and Cardiovascular Medicine › Cardiac Health and Mental Health
  • Life Sciences › Neuroscience › Behavioral Neuroscience › Stress Responses and Cortisol
Keywords
major depressive disorder, C-reactive protein, inflammation, cardiovascular risk, atherosclerosis, sex differences, recurrent depression, depression prevalence, NHANES III
MeSH terms
Adolescent, Adult, C-Reactive Protein, Cardiovascular Diseases, Cross-Sectional Studies, Depression, Depressive Disorder, Female, Humans, Male, Nutrition Surveys, Sex Factors, United States, Comorbidity, Odds Ratio

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