Serum albumin levels and depression in people living with Human Immunodeficiency Virus infection: a cross-sectional study

• Published in: Journal of psychosomatic research Vol. 101; pp. 38 - 43
• Main Authors: Poudel-Tandukar, Kalpana, Jacelon, Cynthia S., Bertone-Johnson, Elizabeth R., Palmer, Paula H., Poudel, Krishna C.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: England Elsevier Inc 01.10.2017; Elsevier Science Ltd
• Subjects: Acquired immune deficiency syndrome; Adult; AIDS; Albumin; Confounding factors; Cross-Sectional Studies; Depression; Depression - blood; Developing countries; Developing country; Female; HIV; HIV Infections - blood; HIV Infections - psychology; HIV/AIDS; Human immunodeficiency virus; Humans; Infections; Inflammation; LDCs; Male; Mental depression; Middle Aged; Proteins; Regression analysis; Serum; Serum Albumin - metabolism; Sociodemographics; Young Adult; HIV/AIDS; Albumin; Depression; Developing country
• ISSN: 0022-3999; 1879-1360
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jpsychores.2017.08.005

Lower serum albumin levels and depression are common among HIV-infected persons. High serum albumin levels may provide protection against depression through its defensive role in inflammation and infection. We tested the hypothesis of an independent relationship between serum albumin levels and depressive symptoms in a cohort of HIV-infected persons. A cross-sectional survey was conducted among 310 HIV-infected persons (176 men and 134 women) aged 20–60years residing in the Kathmandu Valley, Nepal. The bromocresol green method was used to measure serum albumin levels and the Beck Depression Inventory method was used to measure depressive symptoms, with a cut off score of 20 or higher indicating likely depression. The relationship between serum albumin levels and depressive symptoms was assessed using both multiple linear regression analysis and multiple logistic regression analysis, with adjustment for sociodemographic, cardiovascular, life-style, and HIV-related clinical and treatment confounding factors. Serum albumin levels were inversely associated with depressive symptoms scores (beta for 1 unit change in serum albumin levels: β=−3.91; p=0.001) for the total participant sample. This inverse association was significant in both men (β=−3.93; p=0.009) and women (β=−4.47; p=0.03). A significantly decreased risk of depression was observed among participants with the highest serum albumin levels, with odds ratio and 95% CI for those with >5.0g/dL versus <4.0g/dL of 0.22 (0.06–0.80) (p=0.01). Serum albumin levels were inversely associated with depressive symptoms scores in HIV-infected persons. •Lower serum albumin levels and depression are associated with HIV-infection.•Defensive role of albumin in inflammation may provide protection against depression.•High serum albumin levels reduce risk of depression in HIV-infected persons.