Correlation of HDL and LDL Cholesterol with Severity of Depression: A Cross-sectional Study
Correspondence Address :
Poorva Gupta,
Senior Resident, Department of Psychiatry, SGT University, Gurugram, Haryana, India.
E-mail: drpoorvagupta@gmail.com
Introduction: Depression is one of the leading causes of morbidity worldwide. It can impact various biomarkers, including proteins, monoamines, and lipids. Lipids play a critical role in regulating cellular function by influencing transport, anchoring, and providing structural support. The present study aimed to explore any correlation between lipid profiles and depression.
Aim: To investigate the correlation between different lipid profile parameters (serum triglycerides, total cholesterol, serum High-density Lipoproteins (HDL), and Low-density Lipoproteins (LDL) levels) and the severity of depression.
Materials and Methods: A hospital-based, cross-sectional study was conducted at the Department of Psychiatry, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, SGT University, Gurugram, Haryana, India, from June 2020 to June 2021. A total of 200 participants aged 18-65 years, diagnosed with depression according to the ICD-10 classification, were enrolled. Clinical assessments were conducted, and the Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (HAM-D) (17 items) and Beck's Depression Inventory II (BDI II) (21-item scale) were used. Lipid parameters were obtained from fasting blood samples. The Wilcoxon’s-Mann-Whitney U test was applied to assess the association between gender distribution and lipid profiles. Spearman's correlation test was used to analyse the correlation between HAM-D and BDI scores with lipid profiles. Statistical significance was set at a p-value ≤0.05.
Results: The mean age of the participants was 36.05±11.24 years. Correlations between HAM-D levels and lipid profiles revealed that all lipid parameters, except for HDL (which showed a negative correlation), were positively associated with HAM-D scores. These correlations were statistically significant (p ≤0.05). Similarly, a positive correlation was observed between all lipid levels and BDI scores, except for HDL, which exhibited a negative correlation. These correlations were also statistically significant (p≤0.05).
Conclusion: Higher levels of LDL cholesterol were found to be associated with elevated depression rating scale scores and increased susceptibility to depression. On the other hand, HDL cholesterol demonstrated protective effects against depression. Adopting a healthy lifestyle, implementing dietary measures, and addressing stressors promptly may help prevent depressive symptoms.
Affective disorders, Depression rating scales, Lipid profile, High-density lipoproteins, Low-density lipoproteins, Stress
DOI: 10.7860/JCDR/2024/65938.18892
Date of Submission: Jun 13, 2023
Date of Peer Review: Aug 05, 2023
Date of Acceptance: Nov 06, 2023
Date of Publishing: Jan 01, 2024
AUTHOR DECLARATION:
• Financial or Other Competing Interests: None
• Was Ethics Committee Approval obtained for this study? Yes
• Was informed consent obtained from the subjects involved in the study? Yes
• For any images presented appropriate consent has been obtained from the subjects. NA
PLAGIARISM CHECKING METHODS:
• Plagiarism X-checker: Jun 15, 2023
• Manual Googling: Sep 20, 2023
• iThenticate Software: Nov 02, 2023 (12%)
ETYMOLOGY: Author Origin
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