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The following is a summary of “Association between C-reactive protein-triglyceride glucose index and depressive symptoms in American adults: results from the NHANES 2005 to 2010,” published in the December 2024 issue of Psychiatry by Huang et al. 

C-reactive protein-triglyceride glucose index (CTI) combines inflammation and insulin resistance. Both factors are linked to depressive symptoms. 

Researchers conducted a retrospective study to explore the association between CTI and depressive symptoms. 

They used data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (2005-2010). CTI was calculated as 0.412 × Ln (C-reactive protein) + Ln [triglyceride × fasting glucose / 2]. Depressive symptoms were assessed using continuous Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9) scores and defined as moderate to severe (PHQ-9 ≥ 10). Survey-weighted linear and logistic regression models were applied to examine the correlation between CTI and PHQ-9 scores, as well as CTI and depressive symptoms. Subgroup analyses, interaction tests, and smoothed curve fitting were performed to verify the results. 

The results included 5,954 participants, 477 with depressive symptoms and 5,477 without. It showed a significant positive relationship between CTI and PHQ-9 scores (β: 0.40, 95% CI: 0.25-0.55, P < 0.001) and depressive symptoms (OR: 1.30, 95% CI: 1.06-1.61, P = 0.02). Participants in the fourth quartile of CTI had a higher likelihood of depressive symptoms compared to the first quartile (PHQ-9 score: β: 0.83, 95% CI: 0.39-1.26, P < 0.001; depressive symptoms: OR: 2.00, 95% CI: 1.19-3.36, P = 0.01). Subgroup analyses and smooth curve fitting confirmed the positive relationship. 

They found that elevated CTI was linked to a higher risk of depressive symptoms, suggesting its potential as a clinical indicator for identifying and stratifying these symptoms. 

Source: bmcpsychiatry.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s12888-024-06336-4