Introduction: The relationship between depression and inflammation
and the resulting vascular/neuronal damage have been demonstrated
in recent studies. In this study we aimed to investigate inflammation
and the possible degeneration that can be caused by depression and
accompanying vitamin D deficiency using a non-invasive imaging
method of optical coherence tomography (OCT).
Methods: Twenty-four healthy controls and 42 drug free major depressive
patients matched for age, sex and eye measurements were compared
in terms of vitamin D, C Reactive Protein (CRP) and OCT parameters.
The Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (HAM-D), The Clinical Global
Impressions Scale (CGI) and Global Assessment of Functioning Scale
(GAF) were used to assess disease severity.
Results: CRP level and choroidal thickness in the major depression group
were significantly higher than the healthy controls. Vitamin D level and
the ganglion cell layer (GCL) volume was significantly lower in the major
depression group compared to healthy controls. Positive correlation was
found between HAM-D and CRP in major depressive patients; a negative
correlation was found between current attack duration and GCL volume.
CGI was positively correlated with CRP and HAM-D. GAS was negatively
correlated with CRP and HAM-D.
Conclusion: It has been shown that major depression might be an
inflammatory disorder with possible degenerative processes observed
with OCT and CRP measurements. But longitudinal follow up studies are
needed to demonstrate a cause and effect relationship.
Keywords: C reactive protein, major depression, optical coherence
tomography, vitamin D