The effect of sertraline on CRP of depressed hemodialysis patients

Depression is the most prevalent psychological problem among HD patients, associated with higher mortality in these patients. Inflammatory factors have been reported to play an important role in the pathogenesis of depression. It has been also found that Associated depression has been correlated with inflammatory status in these patients.
Sertraline, an antidepressant with selective inhibition of serotonin reuptake, decreases serum level of inflammatory factors in patients with depression.
This study was designed to assess the effect of sertraline on serum concentration of CRP, Hb & Albumin of depressed hemodialysis (HD) patients.
During a clinical trail, 35 depressed HD patient with CRP>5 allocated to receive sertraline for 12 weeks. Patients’ depression was assessed using Beck Depression inventory second edition (BDI-II). Biochemical parameters (hemoglobin, serum albumin, etc.) and CRP levels were measured at baseline and at weeks 4 and 8 and 12 of study.
BDI-II score evaluated before and after 12 Weeks of treatment with sertraline.
Sertraline significantly improved depression symptoms in HD patients.
At the end of the study, BDI-II scores have significantly changed from baseline
(P value=0.001) and Serum level of CRP has Significantly decreased at week 12 comparing with level at initiation of the study. (P=0.001)
Not significantly change in Hemoglobin and serum albumin concentration and weight has been observed (P=0.995 and P=0.328)
Sertraline has significantly decreased CRP level and could be a promising strategy to reduce the systemic inflammation and to treat depression in HD patients.
Sertraline has significantly decreased CRP level and could be a promising strategy to reduce the systemic inflammation and to treat depression in HD patients.