RECENT BENZODIAZEPINE USE IN DEPRESSED-PATIENTS - A CONFOUND OF PSYCHOIMMUNOLOGICAL STUDIES

Several studies have indicated that benzodiazepines influence immunity in both animals and humans. As these medications are commonly utilize d by and for psychiatric patients, investigation of psycho-immunologic relationships in human psychiatric disorders may be confounded by use of these medications. Method: We undertook an investigation for possi ble effects of recent benzodiazepine use on depression-immune relation ships by comparing 43 patients with current major depressive disorder (MDD) who used benzodiazepines in the week prior to study to 27 patien ts with current MDD but no use of benzodiazepines in the past month. B oth functional and ennumerative measures were investigated. Results: W e found no differences in absolute numbers of lymphocytes or the lymph ocyte and NK functional measures. We did find differences between thes e two groups in the percentage of lymphocytes and of NK cells. Upon fu rther analysis, controlling for symptom severity, these differences we re shown to not be independently predicted by benzodiazepine use. Conc lusion: Immune measures in subjects with current MDD and recent benzod iazepine use did not differ from those without such recent use. Theref ore, such recent use is unlikely to confound PNI results. (C) 1996 Aca demic Press.