Investigation of hemorheological parameters in patients with major depressive disorder.

Background: Hemorheological parameters have been reported to be altered in cardiovascular disease. Major depression has been associated with increased risk of cardiovascular disease.

Objective: Our hypothesis is that hemorheological parameters are disturbed in major depressive disorder.

Methods: Major depressive disorder and control groups consisted of 50 subjects. Plasma viscosity, erythrocyte aggregation, erythrocyte deformability, hematological parameters and hematological parameters were examined.

Results: Plasma viscosity was statistically significantly higher, erythrocyte elongation index at 0.53 Pa and 0.95 Pa was lower, and MCV, MCH, and MCHC values were also lower in the major depression group (P < 0.05). Elongation index and plasma viscosity were correlated with depressive symptomatology.

Conclusions: The increased plasma viscosity and decreased elongation index of erythrocytes indicate an unfavorable hemorheological situation in patients with major depressive disorder compared with healthy controls. The results of this study confirm the findings of studies finding a potential threat to cardiovascular health from major depressive disorder. Increased plasma viscosity and decreased erythrocyte elongation index in depressed patients may be risk factors for cardiovascular events and provide data on the causality of the association between depression and cardiovascular disease.