Association of hemoglobin-to-red blood cell distribution width ratio and depression: a cross sectional study

Abstract

Objectives We aimed to explore the association between hemoglobin-to-red blood cell distribution width ratio (HRR) and the depression. Methods Depression, general characteristics, life style, medical history, drug use, blood indicators were extracted from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 2005–2018 to assess the relationship between HRR and depression. Two sample kolmogorove-smirnov test, chi-square test, spearman correlation, multiple linear regression and the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve were analysed. Results 31784 participants were included and the incidence rate of depression was 9.05%. HRR was significant lower in low depression group and positive associated with depression(P < 0.05). Multiple linear regression showed that HRR was associated with depression after adjusted for general characteristics, life style, medical history, drug use and blood indicators (P < 0.05). The cutoff value of HRR for depression is 1.090 and the Youden index, sensitivity, and specificity of HRR to depression is higher than hemoglobin (Hb) and red blood cell distribution width ratio (RDW). Conclusions HRR, powerful than Hb or RDW, is an independent risk factor for depression. Clinicians should focus on the HRR to improve depression.