Sex Differences in Depression: Does Inflammation Play a Role?

Abstract

Women become depressed more frequently than men, a consistent pattern across cultures. Inflammation plays a key role in initiating depression among a subset of individuals, and depression also has inflammatory consequences. Notably, women experience higher levels of inflammation and greater autoimmune disease risk compared to men. In the current review, we explore the bidirectional relationship between inflammation and depression and describe how this link may be particularly relevant for women. Compared to men, women may be more vulnerable to inflammation-induced mood and behavior changes. For example, transient elevations in inflammation prompt greater feelings of loneliness and social disconnection for women than for men, which can contribute to the onset of depression. Women also appear to be disproportionately affected by several factors that elevate inflammation, including prior depression, somatic symptomatology, interpersonal stressors, childhood adversity, obesity, and physical inactivity. Relationship distress and obesity, both of which elevate depression risk, are also more strongly tied to inflammation for women than for men. Taken together, these findings suggest that women’s susceptibility to inflammation and its mood effects may contribute to sex differences in depression. Depression continues to be a leading cause of disability worldwide, with women experiencing greater risk than men. Due to the depression-inflammation connection, these patterns may promote additional health risks for women. Considering the impact of inflammation on women’s mental health may foster a better understanding of sex differences in depression, as well as the selection of effective depression treatments.

Incidence, risk, and associated factors of depression in adults with physical and sensory disabilities: A nationwide population-based study

“…Many factors that are common in the lives of women with physical disabilities, including socioeconomic disadvantage, functional limitations, pain and other chronic health conditions, poor diet, physical inactivity, low self-esteem, and chronic stress, have been linked to higher rates of depression [22]. In addition, women may be more vulnerable to inflammation-induced mood and behavior changes than men [23]. Our results are consistent with the above studies.…”

Does general intelligence moderate the association between inflammation and psychological distress?

“…Furthermore, that study used a large sample (n = 4585) that was roughly half the size of our study's sample, which may also help to explain why they did not find this effect. The fact that we did not find this relationship in women is surprising given that women are more prone to both psychological distress (Bromet et al, 2011) and inflammation (Yang & Kozloski, 2011), as well as the negative mood and behaviour effects of inflammation (Derry, Padin, Kuo, Hughes, & Kiecolt-Glaser, 2015). However, as previously noted, a number of studies have found that inflammation is more strongly linked to psychological distress in males than in females (Ramsey et al, 2016).…”

Lovesick: How Couples’ Relationships Influence Health

“…For example, women respond to transient elevations in inflammation with stronger feelings of loneliness and social disconnection than men, a characteristic that likely contributes to the 2:1 ratio of women to men in depressive disorders (Moieni et al, 2015). Additionally, prior depression, somatic symptomatology, interpersonal stressors, childhood adversity, obesity, and physical inactivity are all factors that elevate inflammation, and women have disproportionately higher representation than men in each of these domains (Derry et al, 2015). Relationship-related distress has stronger ties to inflammation among women than men (Derry et al, 2015), and the relationship between depression and marital quality is stronger among women than men (Whisman, 2001).…”