Are the effects of depression and obesity related or do they influence CRP levels independently?
OBJECTIVE: In 493 consecutive patients presenting for obesity surgery, we explored the relationship between symptoms of depression and raised CRP levels after controlling for confounding factors. METHODS AND PROCEDURES: Depression was measured using the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI). Confounding variables were age, gender, BMI, waist and hip measures, smoking and alcohol habits, medications, biochemical measures of the metabolic syndrome, and indirect measures of insulin resistance. General linear regression sought variables independently associated with CRP levels. RESULTS: These patients had a BMI range from 31 to 91 kg/m2, participants age ranged from 14 to 71 years, and 76% were women. The median CRP concentration was 7.7mg/l (interquartile range: 3.9-14), 40% had an abnormally raised concentration (> 10mg/l). The mean BDI score was 17.0 +/- 9.0, indicating symptoms of moderate depression. We found five independent factors associated with raised CRP levels. In order of strength o
