Original scientific paper

CHILDHOOD MALTREATMENT AND ADULT PROINFLAMMATORY STATUS IN PATIENTS WITH MAJOR DEPRESSION

Sara Zeugmann ; Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Charité, Campus Benjamin Franklin, University Medicine Berlin, Germany
Nicole Buehrsch ; Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Charité, Campus Benjamin Franklin, University Medicine Berlin, Germany
Malek Bajbouj ; Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Charité, Campus Benjamin Franklin, University Medicine Berlin, Germany
Isabella Heuser ; Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Charité, Campus Benjamin Franklin, University Medicine Berlin, Germany
Ion Anghelescu ; Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Charité, Campus Benjamin Franklin, University Medicine Berlin, Germany
Arnim Quante ; Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Charité, Campus Benjamin Franklin, University Medicine Berlin, Germany

Abstract

Background: An increasing body of research considers the immunological effects of major depression. It remains an open
question, whether depression itself acts in an immunomodulatory fashion or whether other factors related to depression result in
these immunological effects. Regardless, major depression is often the result of early life stress, the implications of which are not
satisfactorily understood.
Subjects and methods: Early life stress was retrospectively evaluated in 25 depressed inpatients via the CTQ (Childhood
Trauma Questionnaire). Its impact on immunological biomarkers (fibrinogen, SAA, CRP, adiponectin, TNF-α, resistin, and sEselectin)
in adulthood was assessed via multiple regression analyses. Parental bonding was assessed via the PBI (Parental bonding
questionnaire), severity of depression with the HDRS-17 (Hamilton-Depression-Rating Scale).
Results: Nearly all patients had experienced a parental style of affectionless control. Physical neglect significantly predicted
fibrinogen levels (R2=0.42, adjusted R2=0.27, ß=0.56, p=0.04). Severity of depression was not associated with immune markers.
Conclusion: Childhood maltreatment was linked to fibrinogen levels in our sample. Thus, inflammation may be an important
mechanism mediating the adverse effects of early life stress on adult health in patients with major depression.

Keywords

childhood maltreatment - major depression - subclinical inflammation

Hrčak ID:

161192

URI

https://hrcak.srce.hr/161192

Publication date:

17.9.2013.

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