Associations of serum chromogranin A with depressive symptoms in men with unipolar depressive disorder

Objective: The aim of the present study was to determine the changes of serum chromogranin A (CgA) levels upon depression by investigating the relationship between serum CgA levels and the depressive symptoms assessed by 24-item Hamilton Rating Scale for Depression (HRSD-24). Method: Serum CgA levels were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay in 133 male patients with major depressive disorder (MDD) and were compared with those of 47 healthy controls. Then generalized linear regression, logistic regression and restricted cubic spline models were performed to examine the association between serum CgA levels and depressive symptoms. Results: Serum CgA levels were lower in MDD patients than in controls (P < 0.001) and were inversely associated with scores on HRSD-24 in unadjusted, age, smoking, alcohol consumption, traumatic life events and family history of depression-adjusted and fully adjusted linear regression model. The fully adjusted regression coefficient with 95% confidence intervals was - 0.028 ( - 0.045, -0.010) for serum CgA levels and HRSD-24 score. Serum CgA levels were inversely associated with depressive symptoms (HRSD >= 20) in each logistic regression model. Conclusion: Serum CgA decrease was noted in male patients of MDD and may be inversely associated with depressive symptoms.