Relationship between interleukin-1β and depressive disorder after acute coronary syndrome

• IL-1β level and − 511T allele were associated with depression in acute phase of ACS.
• Interactive effect of IL-1β levels and − 511T allele on depression was found.
• These association and interactive effect were not observed in chronic phase of ACS.
• IL-1β level and − 511T allele can be biomarkers for depression in acute phase of ACS.

This study was aimed to investigate the effect of serum interleukin (IL)-1β in the depression trajectory after acute coronary syndrome (ACS) considering two IL-1β polymorphisms: − 511C/T or + 3953C/T. A total of 969 patients were evaluated within 2 weeks after ACS and of these, 711 were followed-up 1 year later. Depressive disorders were evaluated at baseline and 1 year after ACS, using the Mini-International Neuropsychiatric Interview. Serum IL-1β levels and IL-1β genotypes were investigated at baseline. Covariates on socio-demographic and clinical characteristics including depressive symptoms, cardiovascular risk factors, and current cardiac status were assessed. Depression during the acute ACS was significantly associated with the IL-1β levels and the − 511T allele. The interaction of the IL-1β level with depression at baseline in the presence of the − 511T allele was also significant. No associations were found with depression during the chronic ACS. For the + 3953C/T genotype, there was no association with depression in either the acute or chronic phase. The IL-1β level and − 511C/T genotype, separately or interactively, could be a biomarker for depressive disorder in the acute phase of ACS. Focused interventions for those with higher IL-1β level and − 511T allele might reduce the risk of depressive disorder.