Relationship between serum lipid profile and depression: A prospective longitudinal cohort study conducted at BMIMS, Pawapur.

Amardeep  Kumar; Supriya  Kumari; Amardeep  Kumar

doi:10.51168/sjhrafrica.v6i12.2349

Authors

Amardeep Kumar Senior Resident, Department of Psychaitry, BMIMS, Pawapuri, Nalanda, Bihar
Supriya Kumari Senior Resident, Department of Psychiatry, BMIMS, Pawapuri, Nalanda, Bihar
Amardeep Kumar Professor, Department of Psychaitry, BMIMS, Pawapuri, Nalanda, Bihar

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.51168/sjhrafrica.v6i12.2349

Keywords:

depression, HAM-D, lipid, profile, triglycerides, LDL, HDL, prospective, study

Abstract

Background:
Depression is associated with metabolic abnormalities. Dyslipidaemia may influence neuroinflammatory processes, neurotransmitter activity, and neuronal membrane function, contributing to the severity and persistence of depressive symptoms.

Objective:
To evaluate the association between serum lipid profile and severity of depression assessed using the hamilton depression rating scale (HAM-D) over 12 months.

Methods:
A prospective cohort study was conducted from January to December 2025 among 100 adults aged 18–65 years attending BMIMS, Pawapuri. Baseline evaluation included demographic details, clinical history, body mass index, fasting lipid profile, and depression severity assessed using the 17-item ham-d scale. Ham-d scores were reassessed at 3, 6, and 12 months, while the lipid profile was repeated at 12 months. Multivariable linear regression and mixed-effects models were used to assess associations between lipid parameters and ham-d scores after adjusting for relevant confounders.

Results:
Of the 100 participants enrolled, 94 completed the 12-month follow-up (94%). The mean age was 42.6 ± 11.3 years, and 56.4% were female. Elevated triglycerides (30.9%) and elevated ldl-c (34.0%) were common at baseline. Participants with elevated triglycerides had significantly higher 12-month ham-d scores compared to those with normal levels (14.4 ± 5.1 vs 8.2 ± 3.1; p < 0.001). Elevated ldl-c was also associated with higher ham-D scores (13.8 ± 4.7 vs 8.7 ± 3.3; p = 0.002). Low hdl-c showed a significant but weaker association (p = 0.038). Improvements in triglycerides were associated with greater reduction in ham-d scores (6.1 ± 2.8 vs 3.2 ± 2.4; p < 0.001).

Conclusion:
Serum lipid abnormalities were independently associated with greater severity and persistence of depressive symptoms measured using ham-d. These findings highlight the importance of integrating metabolic assessment into the clinical evaluation of depression.

Recommendation:
Routine metabolic screening should be integrated into depression management protocols to improve long-term clinical outcomes.

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