The Potential Use of Monocyte-to-High-Density Lipoprotein Ratio as a Chronic Inflammatory Marker in Major Depressive Disorder

Background: Monocytes secrete pro-inflammatory and pro-oxidant cytokines as part of inflammatory reactions. High-density lipoproteins have anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects. This study investigated the potential use of the monocyte-to-high-density lipoprotein ratio in the follow-up of major depressive disorder.

Methods: The study group was composed of patients with newly diagnosed or preexisting major depressive disorder who applied to a psychiatric clinic and did not receive antidepressant treatment in the last 2 weeks. These patients were tested for the monocyte-to-high-density lipoprotein ratio in the psychiatric outpatient clinic both in the first interview and at their follow-up at 2 months. The control group, on the other hand, consisted of subjects who presented to the checkup clinic without any complaints.

Results: The study included a total of 98 individuals aged between 18 and 62 years, including 66 women and 32 men. The proportion of women in the study group was higher than that in the control group (P=.002). Patients in the study group had higher first high-density lipoprotein levels than healthy controls (P=.026). Beck’s Depression Inventory scores of the study group decreased significantly from the first to the second interview (P < .001). There was no significant correlation between the percentage of change in Beck’s Depression Inventory scores and the percentage of change in the monocyte-to-high-density lipoprotein ratio (P=.271).

Conclusion: The high-density lipoprotein levels in healthy controls were not higher than those in the group with major depressive disorder; monocyte levels did not differ between the groups and the monocyte-to-high-density lipoprotein ratio was not superior to Beck’s Depression Inventory and could not be used in prognosis.

Cite this article as: Öztürk O, Doğru Balakbabalar AP, Okuyucu M, Göktepe ME. The potential use of monocyte-to-high-density lipoprotein ratio as a chronic inflammatory marker in major depressive disorder. Psychiatry Clin Psychopharmacol. 2023;33(3):187-192.