Objective: The aim of the present study was to explore whether the plasma nesfatin-1 levels are associated with impaired appetite in major depressive disorder (MDD).
Methods: Patients were recruited from all out-patients, who consecutively sought treatment in the psychiatry outpatient clinic of University Hospital. All patients were diagnosed to have major depressive disorder according to DSM-IV. The appetite of patients was assessed by specific questionnaire. We categorized patients into two groups according to their appetite. Study group consisted of 30 patients with increased appetite (MDD-IA), 28 patients with decreased appetite (MDD-DA) and 28 healthy controls. Plasma nesfatin-1 levels and body mass index (BMI) were measured.
Results: There was no statistically significant difference in nesfatin-1 between groups. The mean serum nesfatin-1 level did not show any correlation with age, BMI, HAM-D scores and fasting blood glucose in patients groups.
Conclusion: Our finding suggest that fasting plasma nesfatin-1 levels are unchanged in untreated MDD and there is no evidence for nesfatin-1 playing a role in impaired appetite in patients with MDD.