Jin-Min Wang,1,* Kan-Di Yang,2,* Song-Ying Wu,3 Xiang-Gu Zou,3 Yuan-Sheng Liao,1 Bin Yang,4 Bu-Ni Xie,1 Yan Huang,4 Shi-Ju Li,1 Hui-Jun Ma5 1Department of Internal Neurology, The Second People’s Hospital Affiliated to Fujian University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Fuzhou, 350003, Fujian, People’s Republic of China; 2Department of Internal Neurology, Anxi County Hospital, Quanzhou, Fujian, 362400, People’s Republic of China; 3Institute of Clinical Research, Fujian Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Fuzhou, 350003, Fujian, People’s Republic of China; 4Department of Internal Neurology, Fuzhou Traditional Chinese Medicine Hospital, Fuzhou, 350001, Fujian, People’s Republic of China; 5Department of General, Qiaokou Han Jia Dun Street Community Health Service Center, Wuhan, 430000, Hubei, People’s Republic of China*These authors contributed equally to this workCorrespondence: Jin-Min WangDepartment of Internal Neurology, The Second People’s Hospital Affiliated to Fujian University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, No. 282 of Wusi Road, Gulou District, Fuzhou, 350003, Fujian, People’s Republic of ChinaTel +86-13960769905Fax +86-591-87825344Email drwang_wjm1298@163.comObjective: This study aims to investigate the correlation of platelet parameters and C-reactive protein (CRP) with depression.Methods: The clinical data of 61 patients with depression and 30 healthy control subjects were collected to compare the platelet parameters, CRP levels, and Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (HAMD) scores of the two groups for correlation analysis.Results: The results revealed that the body mass index (BMI) of patients with depression was lower (P < 0.05) than that of the healthy control subjects, and that this difference was more significant in women than in men. Patients with severe depression showed an increased mean platelet volume (MPV) (P < 0.05). In the patients with depression, MPV was positively correlated (P < 0.05) with HAMD scores for work and interest, gastrointestinal symptoms, hopelessness, the anxiety/somatization factor, and the hopelessness factor. Platelet count (PLT) was negatively correlated (P < 0.05) with HAMD scores for hypochondriasis, and plateletcrit (PCT) was negatively correlated (P < 0.05) with HAMD scores for middle insomnia and hypochondriasis. Platelet distribution width (PDW) was positively correlated (P < 0.05) with HAMD scores for gastrointestinal and systemic symptoms as well as hopelessness. Higher CRP levels (P < 0.05) were found in the patients with depression than in the healthy control subjects. Furthermore, in the patients with depression, CRP levels were positively correlated (P < 0.05) with HAMD scores for guilt and the cognitive impairment factor.Conclusion: Classical platelet parameters (PLT, MPV, PCT, PDW) and CRP were shown to be associated with specific depressive symptoms and cognitive impairment factors, including sleep, gastrointestinal symptoms, hypochondriasis, losing interest in work, and despair. These results suggest that both platelet parameters and CRP could be suitable biomarkers for predicting the occurrence and prognosis of depression, thus providing a new target for its treatment.Keywords: depression, platelet parameters, C-reactive protein, Hamilton Depression Rating Scale
