Examining the cross-sectional relationship of platelet/high-density lipoprotein cholesterol ratio with depressive symptoms in adults in the United States

BMC Psychiatry. 2024 Jun 7;24(1):427. doi: 10.1186/s12888-024-05878-x.

Abstract

Aims: Herein, we examined the correlation between platelet/high-density lipoprotein cholesterol ratio (PHR) and symptoms of depression among United States adults.

Methods: Data acquired from the 2007-2018 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, involving individuals ≥ 20 years of age, with available PHR and depression diagnosis information. We employed weighted uni- and multivariable logistic regression analyses to assess the distinct correlation between PHR and depressive symptoms. Additionally, we conducted subgroup, interaction, and restricted cubic spline analyses.

Results: In all, 28,098 subjects were recruited for analysis, with 8.04% depression status and 19.31 ± 0.11 mean PHR value. Depressive symptoms increased with higher quartiles of PHR. Following fully confounder adjustments in model 2, participants with the largest PHR quartiles exhibited a 53% (OR: 1.53, 95%CI: 1.00-2.33, P = 0.05) raised depressive symptoms, relative to participants with least PHR quartiles. Based on the two-piece-wise regression, the breakpoint was PHR = 23.76, and a positive association was more evident when PHR < 23.76 (OR = 1.06, 95%CI: 1.02-1.10, P = 0.01). When PHR ≥ 23.76, the correlation disappeared (P = 0.85). Using subgroup and interaction analyses, we revealed a positive relationship between PHR and depressive symptoms almost consistent among various population settings.

Conclusions: A convenient biomarker, the PHR was independently associated with an increased risk of depressive symptoms and may be a promising new bioindicator for the prediction of depression diagnosis.

Keywords: Cross-sectional study; Depression; NHANES; Platelet/high-density lipoprotein cholesterol ratio; United States adults.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Blood Platelets
  • Cholesterol, HDL* / blood
  • Cross-Sectional Studies
  • Depression* / blood
  • Depression* / epidemiology
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Nutrition Surveys*
  • United States / epidemiology
  • Young Adult

Substances

  • Cholesterol, HDL