Low serum albumin and high ferritin levels in chronic hemodialysis patients with major depression

We investigated the relationships between serum albumin and ferritin levels in chronic hemodialysis patients with or without major depression. During a 1-year period, a total of 107 chronic hemodialysis patients were recruited. The diagnosis of major depression in patients was made by one psychiatrist. The data showed that patients with major depression (n= 15) had significantly lower albumin and higher ferritin levels than patients without major depression (n = 92). Chronic hemodialysis patients with major depression might have a more severe inflammation reaction and greater oxidative damage than patients without major depression. (c) 2006 Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.