Serum Non-High-Density Lipoprotein Cholesterol Is Negatively Correlated With the Severity of Depressive Disorder.

BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to investigate the serum non-high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (non-HDLC) levels of first-episode, drug-naive depressive patients and the correlative factors.

METHODS: The study group comprised 308 subjects including 150 drug-naive patients with first-episode depressive disorder and 158 control subjects diagnosed in the Affiliated Kailuan Mental Health Center, North China University of Science and Technology, Tangshan, Hebei, China, from June 2014 to November 2015. The total cholesterol, triglyceride, HDLC, and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol were measured, whereas the depressive symptoms were tested by using the Self-rating Depression Scale (SDS). The statistical analysis was performed by independent-samples t test and 1-way analysis of variance, as well as partial correlation analysis and stepwise multiregression analysis.

RESULTS: The significant difference was observed in serum non-HDLC of depressive patients compared with control group. Furthermore, there were remarkable differences of non-HDLC levels in sex, age, educational background, and depression severity. Partial correlation analysis indicated SDS standard scores were negatively correlated with total cholesterol, triglyceride, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, and non-HDLC, suggesting SDS standard scores negatively forecast serum non-HDLC levels according to stepwise multiregression analysis.

CONCLUSIONS: Depression was associated with non-HDLC level, suggesting that the risk of cardiovascular disease in depressive patients should be focused on.