Effect of childhood abuse on plasma leptin level in adult depression

Abstract

Objective To explore the effects of childhood abuse on leptin level in blood plasma of adult depression patients. Methods 106 depression patients were included in this study. Children abuse status, severity of depression anxiety were assessed with the childhood trauma questionnaire (CTQ), Hamilton rating scale for depression (HAMD) and Hamilton rating scale for anxiety (HAMA). According to CTQ score subjects were divided into abuse group (n=38) and non-abuse group (n=68). Leptin levels were determined using the Enzyme Linked Immunosorbent Assay. Results Of 106 depression patients 35.85% (n=38) had been abused in childhood according to the result of CTQ score. There were significant differences between the abuse group and the non-abuse group in the age of first onset, sex ratio, the total score of the HAMD-24, the total score of HAMA. Leptin level of abuse group ((4.989±2.820)μg/L) was lower than that in non-abuse group((7.324±4.941)μg/L, P<0.05) and control group ((9.811±7.353)μg/L, P<0.01). Leptin level in non-abuse group was lower than that in control group (P<0.01). Conclusion Childhood abuse obviously influences leptin levels of adult depression patients, which may be a risk factor of adult depression development. Key words: Depression; Childhood abuse; Leptin