Correlation between tumor necrosis factor-α and depression in elderly patients with coronary heart disease

AIM: To investigate depression and changes of tumor necrosis factor alpha(TNF-α) level in elderly patients with coronary heart disease(CHD) and the impact of depression on TNF-α.METHODS: A total of 214 cases with stable angina were included in our study.According to diagnostic criteria from the Chinese Classification of Mental Disorders,the third edition(CCMD-3),the patients were divided into two groups: CHD group and depression(n=54) and CHD group without depression(n=160).Fifty healthy subjects were randomly used as control group.Biochemical indexes,ZUNG self-rating depression scale scores and TNF values were measured and the differences of TNF in different groups and the relationship between tumor necrosis factor-α(TNF-α) and depression scores were explored.RESULTS: TNF level in CHD group with depression was significantly higher than that in CHD group without depression(P0.05).TNF and depression scores were positively correlated(r=0.424,P0.01).After controlling WBC and C-reactive protein,TNF and depression scores remained positively correlated(r=0.344,P=0.000).CONCLUSION: The level of tumor necrosis factor increases in elderly CHD patients with depression.