Date of Award

Spring 2023

Document Type

Scholarly Project

Degree Name

Master of Physician Assistant Studies (MPAS)

Department

Physician Assistant Studies

First Advisor

Metzger, Jay

Abstract

Depression is a multifactorial condition affecting people worldwide. Medication is commonly prescribed for the treatment of depression, but some patients have difficulty finding a medication that is both effective and tolerable while others prefer to avoid medications all together. It has been suggested that dietary modification may reduce the depressive symptoms. As lifestyle changes may be difficult to maintain long term, determining specific foods to avoid for individual patients may improve adherence. A meta-analysis of 10 articles was performed. Articles were found using the electronic search databases PubMed and PsychInfo. Serology differences were appreciated between patients with depression and healthy controls. Some of these markers indicated higher potential for current or future disease, while others varied based on treatment response. Immunoglobulins are present at a much higher rate in patients with depression. Many studies found correlations between biomarkers and the prediction, diagnosis, or treatment of depression, though no study suggested specific guidelines for these purposes. Connections between food intolerance and depression were observed, but not enough data was found to evaluate whether the avoidance of food intolerances reduces depression symptoms when compared to anti-depressant medications.

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