PSYCHOMOTOR RETARDATION, ANOREXIA, WEIGHT-LOSS, SLEEP DISTURBANCES, AND LOSS OF ENERGY - PSYCHOPATHOLOGICAL CORRELATES OF HYPERHAPTOGLOBINEMIA DURING MAJOR DEPRESSION

Recently, we have established that major depression is characterized b y hyperhaptoglobinemia, which may be regarded as an index of an ''acut e'' phase response in that illness. The present study investigates the psychopathological correlates of increased plasma concentrations of h aptoglobin (Hp) in major depression. To this end, the authors studied the Hp levels in relation to depressive items of the Structured Clinic al Interview for DSM-III(SCID) and the Hamilton Rating Scale for Depre ssion (HRSD) in 90 depressed subjects. There was a significant positiv e relationship between the SCID symptoms anorexia/weight loss, sleep, and psychomotor disorders and Hp plasma concentrations. Hp plasma leve ls were significantly and positively correlated with overall severity of illness (HRSD). The HRSD symptom correlates of higher Hp levels wer e loss of interest, middle insomnia, and psychomotor retardation. Up t o 31.4% of the variance in Hp plasma values could be explained by psyc homotor disorders, anorexia, weight loss, middle insomnia, and less di urnal variation of mood. It is suggested that hyperhaptoglobinemia, as an index of an ''acute'' phase response in major depression, is relat ed to the somatic dimension of depressive illness.