Bipolar Disorder: Open Access
Open Access

Abstract

A Study of Hematological Biomarkers in Depressed Postmenopausal Females

Ram K Solanki, Sonia Malhotra, Pankaj B Borade and Aditi Ranawat

Context: Due to the heterogeneity in the occurrence of depression in postmenopausal women and a lack of adequate data on correlation of severity of depression with the co-occurrence of thyroid, lipid and vitamin metabolism derangements in these women, this study was planned to examine the prevalence of these derangements and its correlation with severity of depression in depressed postmenopausal women.

Aims: The aim of the study was to find out the prevalence and correlation of TSH, Lipid Profile, Folate and Vitamin B12 derangements with the severity of depression in postmenopausal women.

Settings and design: A cross-sectional study was carried out at the Department of Psychiatry and Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, SMS Medical College, Jaipur. After screening 150 consecutive depressed postmenopausal females (age group of 45-60 years), 40 females and 40 healthy female controls, matched sociodemographic profile were included in the study.

Materials and methods: After taking written informed consent, all subjects were assessed using Hamilton rating scale for depression, Menopausal rating scale and blood levels of TSH, lipid profile, folate and vitamin B12 was assessed.

Statistical analysis used: Group comparisons were done with chi-square test, T-test and Pearson’s correlation, with help of SPSS, ver. 21.0.

Results: There is significantly more prevalence and correlation of TSH and lipid profile derangements in depressed post-menopausal women, and the derangement in TSH levels worsens with the severity of depression. The folate levels are also significantly worse in the depressed group, but not Vitamin B12. Both did not correlate with severity of depression in the current study.

Conclusion: Management of thyroid and lipid derangements can help manage depression in post-menopausal women more holistically. The role of folate and vitamin B12 replenishment can also be considered when judging treatment response in these patients.