Cognitive impairment, childhood trauma, sedentary behaviour, and elevated C-reactive protein levels in major affective disorders

• Published in: Journal of psychiatric research 2022-11, Vol.155, p.1-9
• Main Authors: Congio, Ana Carolina, Urbano, Mariana Ragassi, Soares, Maria Rita Zoega, Nunes, Sandra Odebrecht Vargas
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Adverse Childhood Experiences; Affective disorder; C-reactive protein; C-Reactive Protein - metabolism; Child abuse; Cognitive dysfunction; Cognitive Dysfunction - etiology; Depressive Disorder, Major - psychology; Humans; Mood Disorders - psychology; Quality of Life; Sedentary Behavior; Sedentary behaviour
• ISSN: 0022-3956; 1879-1379
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jpsychires.2022.07.052

Elevated C-reactive protein (CRP) levels were associated with cognitive decline, sedentary behaviour, and childhood trauma in patients with major affective disorders. This study aims to examine the association of peripheral CRP levels, cognitive function, childhood trauma, sedentary behaviour, and quality of life in individuals with major affective disorders, including bipolar disorder (BD), major depressive disorder (MDD), and individuals without mood disorders (controls). We included outpatients with BD (n = 42), MDD (n = 27), and healthy controls (n = 40). All participants were assessed by a questionnaire, structured clinical interview, and the following scales: international physical activity questionnaire, childhood trauma questionnaire, 17-item Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (HDRS17), and World Health Organization Quality of Life instrument, brief version (WHOQOL-BREF). Other measures were included: hs-CRP levels, anthropometric measures, and cognitive tests (Trail-making test part A and part B, Stroop test, phonemic verbal fluency test, and semantic verbal fluency test). Our results indicated that BD outpatients were less significantly physically active on leisure domain than controls. Levels of hs-CRP ≥ 5 mg/L were significantly linked with a history of childhood sexual abuse and childhood physical abuse, as well as worse neurocognitive performance in major depressive disorders, mainly in BD. There was a significant negative correlation between Trail-making part B score and WHOQOL-BREF total score. The findings support the hypothesis that levels of hs-CRP ≥ 5 mg/L may be a possible predictor of cognitive dysfunction, childhood sexual abuse and sedentary behaviour in major affective disorders. •Bipolar disorder (BD) outpatients were less physically active on leisure activities.•Elevated C-reactive protein (CRP) levels were associated with cognitive dysfunction in BD.•Increased CRP levels were associated with childhood trauma, mainly in BD.•Higher CRP levels were associated with sedentary behaviour, mainly in BD.•There was a negative correlation between cognitive impairment and quality of life in BD.