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Background: Pathophysiological mechanisms and related biological markers for poststroke depression (PSD) are unknown. Some studies have noted that C-reactive protein (CRP) is activated in the serum of PSD patients. We aim to quantitatively summarize the concentrations of CRP in PSD patients compared to non-PSD patients.
Methods: Original studies evaluating the association between CRP and PSD were searched in 4 specific databases from the establishment of the databases to March 2023. RevMan 5.20 and Stata 11.0 statistical software were used for meta-analysis. Publication bias was tested by Egger’s test. The CRP level were combined by standardized mean difference (SMD) with 95% confidence interval (CI).
Results: A total of 43 relevant literatures were retrieved, while 13 cohort studies were collected. The heterogeneity test result of the level of CRP in patients with PSD vs. nonPSD was (Q=98.38, P < .001, I 2 = 88%). The combined value of the estimated effect was [SMD=0.34, 95% CI (0.12-0.56); P = .003]. Sensitivity analysis indicated that no study had a remarkable influence on the result of the pooled estimate. Egger’s test was used to test the bias and the result was (Egger’s test, P=.548), suggesting that there was no publication bias, and the results were credible. We found that different depression evaluation criteria (P=.035) and stroke types (P=.024) were considered as influencing factors for potential sources of heterogeneity.
Conclusion: In conclusion, compared to those without depressive symptoms, patients with post-stroke depression have higher concentrations of CRP in the blood.
Cite this article as: Chen W, Wang X, Xia S. Increased C-reactive protein in patients with post-stroke depression: A metaanalysis of cohort study. Alpha Psychiatry. 2024;25(2):124-131.