Correlation of Catecholamine Content and Clinical Influencing Factors in Depression among Psoriasis Patients: A Case-Control Study

Abstract

Backgroud: This study sought to investigate the clinical influencing factors of patients with psoriasis vulgaris complicated with depression, and to analyze whether the content of monoamine neurotransmitters in plasma was correlated with depression incidence among psoriasis patients. Methods Ninety patients aged 18-60 years with psoriasis vulgaris referred to the dermatology department and 40 healthy volunteers aged 18-60 years referred to the physical examination center of the Affiliated Hospital of Southwest Medical University were included. Questionnaires were administered in both groups to obtain basic patient information, Hamilton Depression Scale(HAMD), and Athens Insomnia Scale(AIS) scores. The questionnaire only for patients with psoriasis vulgaris included the course of disease, Psoriasis Area and Severity Index (PASI), and Dermatology Life Quality Index (DLQI). The catecholamine in plasma from the two groups was analyzed by radioimmunoassay. The data were analyzed by SPSS statistical software. Results: The mean HAMD (P=0.034) and mean AIS scores (P=0.001) of the psoriasis patients were higher than those of the control group, while the mean content of dopamine (P=0.004) and adrenaline in the plasma (P=0.007) of the psoriasis group were lower than those of the control group. Dopamine content in the plasma was lower (comparing psoriasis patients without depression and the control group: P<0.001), and was negatively correlated with HAMD, (P<0.05), AIS (P<0.05), and PASI scores (P<0.05) in the psoriasis patients with depression. There was no significant difference in the epinephrine and norepinephrine contents in all groups. PASI scores were positively correlated with HAMD scores in patients with psoriasis vulgaris, and the mean dopamine content in the patients with depression (P=0.001) was significantly lower than in those without depression. The low dopamine content and high PASI and DLQI scores were the risk factors for depression among the patient population. Conclusion: Psoriasis patients have a significantly higher risk of depression than healthy people, and higher PASI scores were linked to a higher incidence of depression. The dopamine levels of patients were influenced by both psoriasis and depression. The risk factors for depression in psoriasis patients are low dopamine levels in the plasma, severe skin lesions, and lower quality of life.