Objective: This study aimed to investigate the correlation of serum octapeptide cholecystokinin-8 (CCK-8), substance P (SP), and 5-hydroxytryptryptamine (5-HT) values with depression levels in patients with post-stroke depression (PSD). It also aimed to explore the potential approach for the early diagnosis of PSD.
Patients and methods: A correlation research between patients' biochemical indicators and depression levels was performed among 70 stroke patients during hospitalization from June 2021 to February 2022. The 70 stroke patients were selected and divided into post-stroke depression and non-depression groups according to the Hamilton Depression Scale (HAMD) score. The concentrations of CCK-8, SP, and 5-HT in both groups were measured, and the relationship between the values of CCK-8, SP, 5-HT and the depression levels was analyzed.
Results: Among the 70 stroke survivors, 35 were in the depression group and 35 were in the non-depression group. Significant differences were observed in the concentration of CCK-8, SP, and 5-HT between the patients in the depression and non-depression group (p < 0.05). Accompanied by an increase in the depression level, the SP value gradually increased, but the CCK-8 and 5-HT values gradually decreased. Spearman correlation analysis indicated that the order of the correlation between CCK-8, 5-HT, SP, and the depression levels was CCK-8 > SP > 5-HT.
Conclusions: All the CCK-8, SP and 5-HT values were correlated with the depression levels in stroke survivors. Furthermore, the correlation between CCK-8, SP, and post-stroke depression levels was higher than that of 5-HT, suggesting that the early diagnosis of PSD may be reflected more precisely through the detection of CCK-8, and SP values, thus providing potential priority for biochemical detection in the diagnosis of PSD.