Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor is Negatively Associated with Anxiety and Depression in Psoriasis Patients.

Brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) facilitates neurogenesis and may participate in the incidences of psychological disorders, such as anxiety and depression. This study aimed to investigate the association of BDNF with anxiety and depression in psoriasis patients. This study included 178 psoriasis patients and 30 healthy subjects. Serum BDNF was detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay; meanwhile, the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS) questionnaire was completed by both patients and healthy subjects. BDNF was increased in psoriasis patients vs. healthy subjects (P = 0.002). In psoriasis patients, BDNF was negatively associated with age (P = 0.041), positively correlated with psoriasis area and severity index scores (not statistically significant, P = 0.053). BDNF was higher in patients using biologics (P = 0.031) and anti-anxiety/depression drugs (without statistical significance, P = 0.086). In terms of psychological assessments, HADS-anxiety score (6.8 ± 3.1 vs. 3.2 ± 2.2, P < 0.001), anxiety rate (28.7% vs. 3.3%, P = 0.003), HADS-depression score (7.7 ± 3.1 vs. 3.8 ± 2.5, P < 0.001), and depression rate (41.0% vs. 6.7%, P < 0.001) were elevated in psoriasis patients compared to healthy subjects. In psoriasis patients, BDNF was negatively associated with HADS-anxiety score (P = 0.004) and HADS-depression score (P < 0.001). Patients with anxiety (P = 0.009) and depression (P < 0.001) showed higher BDNF compared to those without. The multivariable logical regression analyses disclosed that BDNF was independently related to a lower likelihood of depression (odds ratio: 0.793, P < 0.001), but not anxiety (P = 0.137). In conclusion, BDNF level is elevated and negatively associated with anxiety and depression in psoriasis patients, suggesting that it might be a biomarker in reflecting the anxiety and depression in these patients.