Abstract
Objective
Although increasing evidence suggests that depression/distress involves inflammatory processes, its potential sex differences and the temporal directions for this association remain elusive.
Methods
We examined the temporal association between serum inflammatory mediators and depression/distress as measured by the Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale (CES-D) and the Kessler Psychological Distress Scale (K6), in nondepressed working men and women (n = 61 and 43, respectively) by a 16-month prospective design.
Results
Fully adjusted partial correlation analyses revealed that, in men, a lower IFN-γ predicted subsequent increases in CES-D and K6 scores, whereas a higher TNF-α predicted increased K6 scores. In women, a higher IFN-γ predicted a subsequent increase in the CES-D score. CES-D and K6 scores did not predict inflammatory mediators at follow-up.
Conclusions
The finding suggests that inflammatory activation precedes depression/distress with distinct sex differences.
Authors: Soeishi, Takahiro MS, Nakata, Akinori PhD, Nagata, Tomohisa MD, PhD, Akutsu, Satoshi PhD, Tondokoro, Tsukumi PhD, Inoue, Yukiko PhD, Katsumura, Fumiaki DBA, Kikunaga, Kazuki MPH
ICS Faculty: Satoshi Akutsu
Published in: Journal of Occupational and Environmental Medicine
Download the research paper here
Soeishi, Takahiro MS; Nakata, Akinori PhD; Nagata, Tomohisa MD, PhD; Akutsu, Satoshi PhD; Tondokoro, Tsukumi PhD; Inoue, Yukiko PhD; Katsumura, Fumiaki DBA; Kikunaga, Kazuki MPH. Predicting Depressive Symptoms and Psychological Distress by Circulating Inflammatory Mediators: A 16-Month Prospective Study in Japanese White-Collar Employees. Journal of Occupational and Environmental Medicine 67(4):p 235-244, April 2025. | DOI: 10.1097/JOM.0000000000003307