The correlation between statin usage and incidence of depression in a tertiary care hospital

Abstract

Background: Investigators found that low serum cholesterol levels are an inconsistent possible biological marker for the manifestation of depression and/or suicidal ideation in some individuals. The results of many studies showed that the effect of long-term cholesterol depletion in the brain might trigger depression. Objectives:  To find out the correlation between long term use of STATINS and depression and to study the effect of STATINS on lipid profile. Material and methods: The study is a hospital based prospective study conducted in patients using STATIN medication. Hamilton depression rating scale is used to assess the correlation between the drug usage and incidence of depression at baseline and at the end of 3 and 6 months. Lipid profile is also measured at baseline and again at the end of 3 and 6 months of treatment period. Results: All statistical analysis done by using SPSS version 21 and MS Excel 2007. One way Anova performed to know the mean difference among various continuous variables. All the values for total cholesterol, triglycerides, HDL, LDL, VLDL and HAM-D are considered highly significant, the p-value being .000. Interpretation and conclusions: As there is reduction of lipid levels at the end of 6 months and there is corresponding increase in depression score, it was concluded that there is correlation between Statin usage and incidence of depression.