The association of diet and anthropometric indices with high-sensitive C-reactive protein (hs-CRP), among depressed and healthy female nurses.

Depression is related to an increase acute phase protein, C-reactive protein (CRP), followed by systemic inflammation. Inflammation is a problem mechanism through which diet can affect the development of chronic diseases. This study was aimed to evaluate the association of diet and anthropometric indices with high-sensitive C - reactive protein (hs-CRP), among depressed and healthy female nurses in Ahvaz city.

In this descriptive-analytical study 98 women (45 depressed and 53 healthy subjects) were randomly chosen from Jondishapoor University of medical sciences, Ahvaz. (I.R. Iran). We assessed dietary intakes, anthropometric measurements and hs-CRP serum levels. Data were analyzed using, ANOVA and linear regression model test.

There was not significant difference between the two healty and depressed groups in the mean of hs-CRP. BMI (Body Mass Index), weight, body fat percent and fat/W (fat to weight ratio) had significant positive association with serum hs-CRP level in depressed subjects (P<0.05). The depressed subjects in fourth quartile had higher dietary vitamin E, A and B12 intake than second one (P<0.05). No significant differences were found between the depression score in healthy participants in different quartile.

The result of this study showed that the more anthropometric measurements, dietary intake of iron and vitamin E, and the less dietary intake of calcium are associated with an increased acute phase response in depressed and healthy subjects.