Evaluation of inflammatory and metabolic impairments regarding depression dimensions: a case control study

Abstract

Background

Patients with depression are at a higher risk of developing serious medical problems such as diabetes mellitus, hypertension, and cardiovascular diseases, increasing the burden of depression and worsening its outcome.

Recent studies revealed the presence of low-grade systemic inflammation and metabolic impairments which are playing an important role in the development of these medical problems among patients with depression.

It should be noted that not all patients with depressive disorder have these immune or metabolic impairments.

The study aims to evaluate inflammatory and metabolic impairments among patients with depression through categorizing patients with depression into four dimensional profilers which are (1) atypical energy-related symptom dimension, (2) melancholic dimension, (3) childhood trauma dimension, and (4) anxious distress dimension.

Also, the current study will evaluate inflammatory and metabolic impairments among patients with depression and a control group.

Results

This study highlights that of the patients with metabolic impairments (including hypertension, impaired glycemic control, low/high-density lipoprotein, elevated triglycerides, and central obesity), all of them had reported significantly higher scores in the atypical, energy-related symptom dimension.

Also, patients with impaired glycemic control had reported significantly (p < 0.001) high scores in the anxious distress symptom dimension.

While patients with inflammatory impairment (serum CRP > 3 mg/L) had significantly (p = 0.009) reported higher scores in the childhood trauma symptom dimension.

In addition, statistically significant metabolic and inflammatory impairments are detected among the depression cases group in comparison with the control group.

Conclusions

This study found that patients with depression presented by atypical, energy-related symptoms were at a higher risk of metabolic impairments than other depression profilers.

Also, patients of the Anxious distress symptom dimension reported significant impaired glycemic control.

In addition, patients with depression of the childhood trauma dimension were associated with high levels of inflammatory marker (C-reactive protein).

Potential implications

These results can be applied clinically to improve treatment and prognosis in patients with depression. For example, depressed patients with atypical, energy-related symptoms should increase their daily physical activities and exercise, and they should follow a special diet. Also, anti-inflammatory medications could be added to depressed patients of the childhood trauma dimension.

Background

Major depressive disorder (MDD) is an important cause of disability in the 21st century [1] either in developed and developing countries.

The high disability of depression may be due to the relatively early age of its onset besides its chronic course [2].

In addition to the disabling symptoms of major depressive disorder, depressed patients are at a higher risk of comorbidity of serious medical problems such as diabetes mellitus, hypertension, and cardiovascular diseases, increasing the burden of depression and worsening its outcome [3].

Certainly, each of these disorders represents a real burden on general health, their comorbidity is a serious challenge. Understanding the pathogenesis of this comorbidity may help to face this challenge [4].

In addition to the genetic, biological, and psychosocial models involved in the pathogenesis of depression, recent studies revealed that the metabolic and immune–inflammatory impairments as higher levels of inflammatory markers, dyslipidemia, and metabolic syndrome are also reported [5]. Such findings represent serious risk factors for diabetes and cardiovascular diseases [6]. Also, the role of antidepressants cannot be ignored as certain antidepressants may predispose to cardio-metabolic dysfunction [7].

These comorbidities can be explained by the presence of shared pathogenesis linking these disorders such as altered circadian rhythms, abnormal hypothalamic–pituitary–adrenal axis (HPA axis), imbalanced neurotransmitters, and abnormal inflammatory process [8].

Low-grade inflammation is involved in the pathogenesis of depression and is increased in cardiovascular diseases [9]. Recent studies found that patients with depression compared with the control group have higher levels of inflammatory markers as C-reactive protein (CRP) and interleukin [10].

It should be noted that not all patients with depressive disorder have these immune or metabolic impairments. Latest studies revealed that only certain subgroups of patients with depression have these findings [11].

Recent studies about depression dimensions and subtypes are directing towards the dimensional approach of diagnosis and classification where the need for different dimensional regard is increasing [12].

Patients with depression who have an atypical symptom profile (increased appetite, weight gain, hypersomnia, fatigue, and lack of energy) are more likely to have impaired inflammatory and cardio-metabolic markers [13].

A new dimensional symptom profile known as “immuno-metabolic depression” [14].

However, updated research reported that both melancholic symptoms of depression [15] and depression with a comorbid anxiety disorder or with substantial anxiety features (defined by the DSM-5 anxious distress specifier) [16] are associated with increased levels of inflammatory markers. Recently, anxiety disorders have been related to the metabolic syndrome [17].

Moreover, research on childhood trauma showed that patients with depression with childhood trauma had higher levels of inflammatory markers [18].

All these previous findings draw attention to create four-dimensional depression profilers: (1) atypical energy-related symptom dimension, (2) melancholic dimension, (3) childhood trauma dimension, and (4) anxious distress dimension. All four-dimensional depression profilers were standardized [19].

• The atypical, energy-related symptom dimension included the following items: increased appetite, increased weight, hypersomnia, leaden paralysis, and low energy.

• The melancholic symptom dimension included the following items: diurnal variation (mood worse in the morning), early morning awakening, and distinct quality of mood, inappropriate guilt, lack of appetite, loss of weight, and psychomotor agitation or retardation.

• The anxious distress symptom dimension included the following items: feeling tense, restlessness, concentration/worrying, fear of awful events, and feeling like losing control.

• The childhood trauma symptom dimension included the following items: emotional neglect, psychological abuse, physical abuse, and sexual abuse.

The comorbidity between depression and metabolic and immune-inflammatory impairments becomes an attractive area of research in the last years trying to highlight the need for following up metabolic and inflammatory changes of depression patients to prevent serious complications [20].

The aim of the present study was to evaluate inflammatory and metabolic impairments among patients with depression. This study was conducted by categorizing patients with depression into four-dimensional profilers which are (1)atypical energy-related symptom dimension, (2) melancholic dimension, (3) childhood trauma dimension, and (4) anxious distress dimension.

Laboratory assessment was done for evaluation of inflammatory and metabolic impairments among four-dimensional depression profilers and control group.

That may highlight the need for following up metabolic and inflammatory changes in patients with depression to prevent complication.

Methods

This is a cross-sectional study which was done in the Psychiatry Department, Faculty of Medicine, Mansoura University Hospitals, during the period from 1 May 2020 till 30 October 2020. Patients and control groups were selected for participation in this study according to the specified inclusion and exclusion criteria

Patient group

Inclusion criteria were as follow:

• Both sexes

• Age 20–40 (may be less affected by chronic physical illness or lifestyle factors)

• Diagnosed according to the diagnostic criteria of Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fourth Edition (DSM-IV) in a structured clinical interview as having major depressive disorder with or without comorbid anxiety

• Detecting the presence of depressive symptoms by having at least scoring (8–13) in the Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (HDRS). Detecting the presence of anxiety disorder by having at least scoring (< 17) in The Hamilton Anxiety Rating Scale (HAM-A)

• Under treatment with antidepressants only, or anidepressants with typical antipsycotics or atypical antipsychotics (ziprasdone, aripiprazole, quetiapine) as they are not affecting the metabolic profile markedly

Exclusion criteria were as follow:

• More than 40 years old

• Patients with other types of depression

• Patients with psychotic symptoms

• Patients with bipolar disorder

• Patients with other psychiatric disorders

• Patients under treatment with antipsychotics (risperidone, olanzpine, clozapine) as augmenting therapy (those types of antipsychotics are known to affect markedly the metabolic profile)

• Participants with CRP > 10 mg/L (n = 2) were excluded due to the risk of acute infection or an active autoimmune disorder.

Control group

Inclusion criteria were as follow:

• Both sexes

• Age 20–40 (maybe less affected by chronic physical illness or lifestyle factors)

• The absence of depressive symptoms by having scored less than 8 in the Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (HDRS) and/or anxiety disorders by having less than 17 in The Hamilton Anxiety Rating Scale (HAM-A).

Exclusion criteria were as follow:

• More than 40 years old

• Patients with previous psychiatric history

• Participants with CRP > 10 mg/L (n = 4) were excluded due to the risk of acute infection or an active autoimmune disorder.

Sample size calculation

Sample size calculation was based on the result of internal pilot study that is carried out on 20 cases and 20 matched control groups to estimate the sample size and revealed that the difference of metabolic impairments between groups is 20%. Using G power program version 3.1.9.4 to calculate the sample size based on the expected difference of 20%, using a 2-tailed test, α error = 0.05 and power = 80.0%, the total calculated sample size will be 80 in each group.

Finally, eighty (n = 80) patients and eighty (n = 80) controls participated in this study. All participants signed written informed consent and were informed that all information obtained will be confidential.

All included groups were subjected to a semi-structured interview to collect the following data including sociodemographic information (age, gender, residence, the level of education, and smoking).

The psychometric assessment

The assessment was done by the following:

• a. Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (HDRS) [21]: Arabic version translated by Lotfy Fateem [22] was applied to both groups (patients and control). HDRS is a multiple-item questionnaire used to indicate depression and as a guide to evaluating recovery. A total score of 8–13 is considered mild, 14–18 moderate depression, 19–22 severe depression, and ≥ 23 very severe depression

• b. The Hamilton Anxiety Rating Scale (HAM-A) [23]: The Arabic version prepared by Lotfy Fateem [24] was applied to both groups (patients and control). HAM-A is a questionnaire used to rate the severity of a patient’s anxiety. Scoring a total of < 17 is considered mild, 18–25 mild to moderate, and 26–30 moderate to severe.

• c. Major depressive episodes were assessed with the Arabic version [25] of the Structured Clinical Interview for DSM- IV (SCID-1) [26, 27].

The patient group was divided into four-dimensional depression profilers based on a previous study done by Lamers et al. [19]; all four-dimensional depression profilers were standardized [19]. This classification was justified in their study by recent studies about depression dimensions, and subtypes are directing towards the dimensional approach of diagnosis and classification where the need for different dimensional regard is increasing [12]. A new dimensional symptom profile known as “immuno-metabolic depression” [14].

However, updated research reported that both melancholic symptoms of depression [15] and depression with a comorbid anxiety disorder are associated with increased levels of inflammatory markers. Recently, anxiety disorders have been related to metabolic syndrome [17].

Moreover, research on childhood trauma showed that patients with depression with childhood trauma had higher levels of inflammatory markers [18].

The items used in each dimensional depression profilers are from the 30-item version of the Inventory of Depressive Symptomatology (IDS) [28].

For preparing an Arabic version translation, back translation and validity were done in the Psychiatry Department, Faculty of Medicine, Mansoura University Hospitals (MUH) through the cooperation with a postgraduate member in the English language Department, Faculty of Arts, Mansoura University. The reliability was examined by test–retest method (with a 2-week interval) with alpha cronbach coefficiency (0.87) through the cooperation with the Department of Community, Faculty of Medicine, Mansoura University.

The four-dimensional depression profilers

The following are the depression profilers:

• The atypical, energy-related symptom dimension consists of 5 items specific to immuno-metabolic depression (IMD) [6]. It included the following items: increased appetite, increased weight, hypersomnia, leaden paralysis, and low energy and ranges from 0 to 15.

• The melancholic symptom dimension: all 8 melancholic features in the IDS are summed [29]: diurnal variation (mood worse in the morning), early morning awakening and distinct quality of mood, inappropriate guilt, lack of appetite, loss of weight, psychomotor agitation, or retardation. A score is ranging from 0 to 24.

• The anxious distress symptom dimension: the dimension was determined by using three items from the IDS and two items of the Beck Anxiety Inventory(BAI) [30] that matched with the five criteria for the DSM-5 anxious distress specifier. The sum of these 5 items (IDS items feeling tense, restlessness, concentration/ worrying, and BAI items fear of awful events, feeling like losing control) resulted in a score ranging from 0 to 15.

• The childhood trauma symptom dimension was done using the Childhood trauma interview (CTI) [31] assessing the occurrence and frequency of four types of abuse before age 16: (emotional neglect, psychological abuse, physical abuse, and sexual abuse) on a scale from0 to 8.

Laboratory assessment of Inflammatory and metabolic markers

This was done to both groups (patients and control):

• Inflammatory markers were determined from fasting morning blood plasma levels of CRP and measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA).

• We defined evidence of low-grade inflammation as serum CRP > 3 mg/L, and no inflammation as CRP < 3 mg/L [11].

• Cardio-metabolic dysregulation was defined using the factors of the metabolic syndrome: elevated blood pressure (BP > 130/85 mmHg or use of antihypertensive medication), impaired glycemic control (fasting blood glucose concentration more than 5.6 mmol/L (38 mmol/mol) or diagnosed type 2 diabetes), low/high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (< 1.03 mmol/L in male and < 1.30 mmol/L in female), elevated triglycerides (> 1.7 mmol/L), and central obesity (waist circumference ≥ 102 cm (male), ≥ 88 cm ( female).

• All measures of assessment of inflammatory and metabolic impairments were done in the Outpatient Clinic of Internal Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Mansoura University Hospitals (MUH).

• Waist circumference was measured with a measuring tape at the central point between the lowest front rib and the highest front point of the pelvis on light clothing.

• HDL cholesterol, triglycerides, and glucose were determined using routine standardized laboratory methods. Fasting plasma glucose samples were taken at 9 o’clock after 10 h of fasting.

Statistical analysis and data interpretation

Data were fed to the computer and analyzed using IBM SPSS Corp. Released 2013. IBM SPSS Statistics for Windows, Version 22.0. Armonk, NY: IBM Corp. Qualitative data were described using numbers and percentages. Quantitative data were described using the median (minimum and maximum) for nonparametric data and mean and the standard deviation for parametric data after testing normality using the Kolmogorov–Smirnov test. The significance of the obtained results was judged at the 0.05 level.

Data analysis

Nonparametric tests used were Mann–Whitney U & Kruskal–Wallis tests to compare nonparametric variables. Linear regression analysis was used for the prediction of independent variables of continuous parametric outcome (depression scores after log transformation). Significant predictors in the correlation were entered into the regression model with the calculation of R² that quantities the effect of combined variables on the desired outcome and the prediction equation( Y = β + a × x)

Results

Sociodemographic characteristics of the studied groups are demonstrated in Table 1.

Table 1 Sociodemographic characteristics of the studied groups

Concerning the cases group, mean of age ± SD was (35.88 ± 4.71), 50 (62.5%) male, 30 (37.5%) female, 48 (60%) urban, and 32 (40%) rural.

Thirteen (16.2%) of the cases had primary education, 46 (57.5%) had intermediate education while 21 (26.2%) had high education.

Twenty four (30%) of the cases were never smokers, 14 (17.5%) were former smokers, and 42 (52.5%) are current smokers which was statistically significant (p = 0.004).

While in the control group, mean of age ± SD was (34.78 ± 4.93), 52 (65%) male, 28 (35%) female, 51 (63.7%) were urban while 29 (36.2%) were rural.

Nine (11.2%) of the control group had primary education, 53 (77.5%) had intermediate education while 18 (22.5%) had high education.

Forty four (55%) of the control group were never smokers, 6(7.5%) were former smokers, and 30 (37.5%) are current smokers.

Table 2 shows metabolic and inflammatory impairments among the studied groups.

Table 2 Metabolic and inflammatory impairments among cases and control groups

Statistically significant metabolic impairments (including hypertension, impaired glycemic control, low/high-density lipoprotein, elevated triglycerides, and central obesity) and inflammatory impairment (serum CRP > 3 mg/L) were detected among the cases group in comparison with the control group.

Table 3 shows depression dimensional profilers’ score distribution (cases group).

Table 3 Depression dimensional profilers’ score distribution among the cases group

• Atypical, energy-related symptom dimension: median (11.8), minimum (3), maximum (15)

• Melancholic symptom dimension: median (12), minimum (3), maximum (21)

• Childhood trauma index dimension: median (4), minimum (2), maximum (8)

• Anxious distress symptom dimension: median (3), minimum (3), maximum (15)

Table 4 shows the relationships between depression dimensional profilers’ scores and metabolic-inflammatory impairments.

Table 4 The relations between depression dimensional profilers’ scores and metabolic-inflammatory impairments

• All patients with metabolic impairments (including hypertension, impaired glycemic control, low/high-density lipoprotein, elevated triglycerides, and central obesity) had reported significantly higher scores in the atypical, energy-related symptom dimension.

• Also, patients with impaired glycemic control had reported significantly high scores in the anxious distress symptom dimension.

• While patients with inflammatory impairment (serum CRP > 3 mg/L) had significantly reported higher scores in the childhood trauma symptom dimension.

Table 5 presents the linear regression for prediction (Log atypical energy-related symptoms dimension). Patients with higher scores at the atypical, energy-related symptom dimension were significantly (p < 0.001) hypertensive; their glycemic control was significantly impaired (p = 0.02) and low/high-density lipoprotein significantly (p < 0.001) impaired, and they significantly (p = 0.04) had central obesity.

Table 5 Linear regression for prediction of Log atypical energy-related symptoms dimension

Table 6 shows the linear regression for prediction (Log childhood trauma symptom dimension); patients with higher scores in the childhood trauma symptom dimension had significantly (p < 0.001) elevated C-reactive protein.

Table 6 Linear regression for prediction of Log childhood trauma symptom dimension

Table 7 shows the linear regression for prediction (Log anxious distress symptom dimension); patients with high scores in the Anxious distress symptom dimension had reported significantly impaired glycemic control.

Table 7 Linear regression for prediction of Log anxious distress symptom dimension

Discussion

The purpose of the present study was to evaluate inflammatory and metabolic impairments among patients with depression. This study was conducted by categorizing depression patients into four-dimensional profilers which are (1) atypical energy-related symptom dimension, (2) melancholic dimension, (3) childhood trauma dimension, and (4) anxious distress dimension.

Laboratory assessment was done for evaluation of inflammatory and metabolic impairments among the four-dimensional depression profilers and the control group.

Results of the current study revealed that all patients with metabolic impairments (including hypertension, impaired glycemic control, low/high-density lipoprotein, elevated triglycerides, and central obesity) had reported significantly higher scores in the atypical, energy-related symptom dimension.

These results are indicating more metabolic dysregulation in patients with higher scores in the atypical, energy-related symptom dimension.

According to [19], the atypical, energy-related symptom dimension included the following items: increased appetite, increased weight, hypersomnia, leaden paralysis, and low energy.

A possible explanation for these significant findings in this dimension of depression may be that increased appetite, hypersomnia, leaden paralysis, and low energy present in the atypical depression may lead to higher fat and carbohydrate intake as well as decreased daily physical activity and weight gain leading to significant impairment in blood glucose and lipid levels.

In the same area of research, Alshehri et al. [2] reported the association between abdominal obesity and depression, Simmons et al. [7] revealed that appetite changes are related to metabolic impairments in the depression subgroups.

The results of the current study are agreeing with prior similar studies showing that metabolic dysregulation is strongly related to atypical energy-related symptom dimension [32, 33].

Also, the results of [34, 35] confirmed our results that depression with atypical features is associated with an increase in waist circumference and fasting glucose and a higher incidence of metabolic impairment.

On the other hand, according to the results of this study, the melancholic symptom dimension is less likely to be linked to inflammatory and metabolic impairments.

This may be due to the lower appetite present in melancholic depression which will lead to lower fat and carbohydrate intake, resulting in lowering blood glucose and lipid levels and less be linked to inflammatory and metabolic impairments.

Recent studies [36, 37] had the same findings, reporting that melancholic forms of depression are associated with a lower prevalence of metabolic syndrome.

Also, the results of the current research highlighted that patients with impaired glycemic control had reported significantly high scores in the anxious distress symptom dimension.

This important finding can be explained as anxiety is frequently associated with poor metabolic functions and serious medical problems. Anxiety is associated with increased levels of the stress hormone cortisol which block the effect of insulin from taking glucose from blood into cells all over the body causing high blood sugar and finally impaired glycemic control.

A recent study [17] reported the association between anxiety and metabolic syndrome emphasizing the role that cortisol plays in this relation.

Another important finding in this study is that patients with inflammatory impairment (serum CRP > 3 mg/L) had reported significantly higher scores in the childhood trauma symptom dimension.

This can be explained as childhood trauma (emotional neglect, psychological abuse, physical abuse, and sexual abuse) usually leads to heightened stress response in the childhood period leading to impaired emotional regulation, sleep problems, and autoimmune diseases. Also, childhood exposure to trauma can trigger a systematic inflammatory response.

These data are consistent with some recent studies [38,39,40] who had reported that childhood trauma was found to be significantly associated with higher inflammatory markers among patients with depression.

The last finding is the presence of statistically significant metabolic impairments (including hypertension, impaired glycemic control, low/high-density lipoprotein, elevated triglycerides, and central obesity) and inflammatory impairment (serum CRP > 3 mg/L) among the cases group in comparison with the control group.

Patients with depressive disorder are prone to metabolic and inflammatory impairment due to their poor health-related behaviors. In addition to the genetic, biological, and psychosocial models involved in the pathogenesis of depression, recent studies revealed that the metabolic and immune-inflammatory impairments as higher levels of inflammatory markers, dyslipidemia, and metabolic syndrome are also reported. Such findings represent serious risk factors for diabetes and cardiovascular diseases [6]. Also, the role of antidepressants cannot be ignored as certain antidepressants may predispose to cardio-metabolic dysfunction [7].

Finally, this study highlights that all patients with metabolic impairments (including hypertension, impaired glycemic control, low/high-density lipoprotein, elevated triglycerides, and central obesity) had reported significantly higher scores in the atypical, energy-related symptom dimension.

Also, patients with impaired glycemic control had reported significantly high scores in the anxious distress symptom dimension while patients with inflammatory impairment (serum CRP > 3 mg/L) had reported significantly higher scores in the childhood trauma symptom dimension.

Based on these results, these results can be applied clinically to improve treatment and prognosis in patients with depression. For example, depressed patients with atypical, energy-related symptoms should increase their daily physical activities and exercise, and they should follow a special diet. Also, anti-inflammatory medications could be added to depressed patients of the childhood trauma symptom dimension.

Before we conclude, we would like to discuss the limitations of this study. A limited number of studies on the dimensions of depression are available. Depression subtypes are often overlapping which acquires further assessment of the correlations between profilers.

Research on larger samples is needed to confirm our findings.

In addition, the previous medical history of those patients and drug treatment they receive for these conditions should have been taken into consideration.

Also, in the coming research in this area, the role of pharmacotherapy for depression should be more adjusted as it may predispose to cardio-metabolic dysfunction.

Finally, lifestyle-related behavior is a risk factor, which needs further assessment.

Conclusions

This study found that patients with depression presented by atypical, energy-related symptoms were at a higher risk of metabolic impairments than other depression profilers.

Also, patients of the anxious distress symptom dimension reported significant impaired glycemic control.

In addition, depressed patients of the childhood trauma dimension were associated with high levels of inflammatory marker (C-reactive protein).

Potential implications

These results can be applied clinically to improve treatment and prognosis in patients with depression. For example, patients with depression with atypical, energy-related symptoms should increase their daily physical activities and exercise, and they should follow a special diet. Also, anti-inflammatory medications could be added to patients with depression of the childhood trauma dimension.

Future studies are needed to confirm findings and to benefit from these symptoms to develop an ideal treatment plan.