Abstract: SA-PO1056
Association of High-Sensitivity C-Reactive Protein and IL-6 with Depressive Symptoms in Patients on Hemodialysis
Session Information
- Hemodialysis: Risk Factors, Epidemiology, and Outcomes
October 24, 2026 | Location: Exhibit Hall A, Convention Center
Abstract Time: 10:00 AM - 12:00 PM
Category: Dialysis
- 801 Dialysis: Hemodialysis and Frequent Dialysis
Author
- Lee, Dong-Young, Veterans Healthcare Service Medical Center, Seoul, Korea (the Republic of)
Background
Depression is highly prevalent among patients on maintenance hemodialysis (HD) and is associated with poor clinical outcomes. Both depression and end-stage renal disease (ESRD) share a common feature of chronic low-grade inflammation. While the association between representative inflammatory biomarkers—high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hsCRP), interleukin-6 (IL-6), and tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α)—and depression has been well established in the general population, results in HD patients remain inconsistent. Therefore, we aimed to investigate the association between these inflammatory biomarkers and depressive symptoms in HD patients in Korea.
Methods
We performed a cross-sectional analysis of 220 patients undergoing chronic HD. Depressive symptoms were defined as a Beck's Depression Inventory (BDI) score ≥16. Plasma levels of hsCRP, IL-6, and TNF-α were measured. The associations between inflammatory markers and depressive symptoms were evaluated using linear regression and logistic regression. Multivariable models were adjusted for age, sex, body mass index (BMI), Charlson Comorbidity Index (CCI), HD vintage, and causes of ESRD.
Results
Of 220 patients (mean age 61.4 ± 11.8 years, 64.1% male), 108 (49.1%) had depressive symptoms. Patients with depressive symptoms were older and had higher comorbidity (both p<0.01).
In fully adjusted models, hsCRP (β=2.657, 95% CI 1.352–3.962, p<0.001) and IL-6 (β=1.602, 95% CI 0.236–2.937, p=0.019) were independently associated with higher BDI scores. Only hsCRP remained significantly associated with depressive symptoms (adjusted OR 1.78, 95% CI 1.19–2.67, p=0.0095). TNF-α showed no association.
Conclusion
Higher hsCRP and IL-6 levels were independently linked to depressive symptoms in HD patients, with hsCRP showing the strongest association. Systemic inflammation may play a key role in depression in this population.
Acknowledgment
None
Linear Regression Analysis of hsCRP, IL-6, and TNF-α Levels and Baseline BDI Scores
Logistic regression between hsCRP, IL-6, and TNF-α Levels and Depressive Symptoms