Identification of depression in patients with acute coronary syndrome using multiple serum biomarkers

Background: Biomarkers for depression in patients with acute coronary syndrome (ACS) have not been identified. Methods: This study evaluated multiple serum biomarkers for depressive disorders after ACS. Thirteen serum biomarkers associated with seven functional systems, along with sociodemographic/clinical characteristics, were evaluated in 969 patients within 2 weeks after ACS onset (acute phase). In total, 711 patients were evaluated for depressive disorder using DSM-IV criteria 1 year later (chronic phase). Logistic regression was used for the analysis. Results: Depressive disorders were observed in 378 patients (39.0%) in the acute phase of ACS and 183 patients (25.7%) in the chronic phase. The weighted scores of five serum biomarkers (high -sensitivity C -reactive protein, interleukin-6, homocysteine, troponin I, and creatine kinase-MB) were significantly associated with depressive disorder diagnosis in the acute phase, and the weighted scores of three other biomarkers (tumor necrosis factoralpha, interleukin-1 beta, and homocysteine) were significantly associated with depressive disorders in the chronic phase, in a dose -dependent manner after adjusting for relevant covariates (all P -values <0.001). Conclusions: The combination of several serum biomarkers exhibited robust associations with depressive disorders in both the acute and chronic phases of ACS.