Lipid parameters - significance in patients with endogenous depression.

BACKGROUND People are aware of the consequences of high serum lipid levels, specifically, total cholesterol. Awareness about harmful effects of very low levels of serum lipids is still lacking. Very low levels of serum lipids lead to psychological consequences. OBJECTIVES The objective of this study was to show whether there was a significant relationship between serum lipid levels and depression. MATERIAL AND METHODS Total 70 subjects were included in this study. 40 subjects suffering from depression as assessed with the help of clinical findings and Beck Depression Inventory (BDI) scores were included in the study group, while control group comprised of 30 normal subjects. Lipid profile was done on blood samples obtained after overnight fasting. BDI scores were also obtained in control group using BDI. Co-relation between BDI score and lipid levels was obtained in both the groups. RESULTS Serum lipid levels were significantly low in study group as compared to control group. There was a significant negative co-relationship between serum lipid levels with depression. Subjects of study group having lower lipid levels specifically Total Cholestrol (TC) (r = -0.78), Low-Density Lipoprotein (LDL) (r = -0.69), TG (r = -0.41) and Very Low-Density Lipoprotein (VLDL)(r = - 0.418), showed higher BDI scores (p<0.05). CONCLUSION We can conclude that there is a significant relationship between low TC and depression. Similarly, low levels of serum LDL, TG and VLDL also showed significant relationship with depression. Lipid levels below a certain limit are not good as it may cause depression. Patients with low lipid levels should be screened for depression so that if necessary, corrective measures can be taken at the earliest.