Are Serum Lipid Levels Associated With Depression in Hemodialysis Patients?

BACKGROUND: Recent study suggested a relation between low levels of serum lipids and depression. The aim of this study was to assess the association between serum lipid levels and depression in patients with end-stage renal disease (ESRD).

METHODS: All the patients who were attending Yüzüncü Yil University Faculty of Medicine Training Hospital Hemodialysis Unit, in Turkey, from August 2000 to July 2001, were prospectively studied. Serum TC, LDL-c, HDL-c, VLDL-c and triglyceride levels were measured and Beck Depression Inventory (BDI) was administered to all patients. Diabetic patients were excluded.

RESULTS: There were 46 patients (25 males and 21 females). Mean duration of hemodialysis was 28.1 ± 30.2 months. Mean Kt/V was 1.2 ± 0.4. The mean age of study group was 45.2 ± 16.3 years and the age range was 15-73 years. Mean serum albumin concentration was 3.63 ± 0.55 (2.5-4.7) g/dL. The patients’ mean BDI was 15.9 ± 6.2 (4- 31). There was association between serum TC (total cholesterol), LDL-c (low density lipoprotein cholesterol), HDL-c (high density lipoprotein cholesterol) and depression but no association between serum VLDL-c (very-low density lipoprotein cholesterol) and triglyceride levels and depression in patients with ESRD.

CONCLUSION: Depression is the most common psychological finding in patients with ESRD. Our study demonstrate that there were associations between low serum TC, LDL-c, HDL-c levels and depression but there was no association between depression and serum triglyceride and VLDL-c levels in patients with ESRD.