Key Finding
A J-shaped relationship exists between NPAR and depression risk, with those in the highest quartile having 36% increased odds of depression and over double the risk for moderate-to-severe depression.
Researchers examined the connection between inflammation markers in the blood and depression risk using data from over 30,000 Americans collected between 2005 and 2018. They looked at a specific measurement called NPAR (neutrophil percentage-to-albumin ratio), which combines two inflammation indicators: neutrophils (a type of white blood cell) and albumin (a protein in blood). Depression levels were assessed using a standard questionnaire called PHQ-9.
The study found a J-shaped relationship between NPAR and depression risk, meaning that both very low and high NPAR levels were associated with increased likelihood of depression. People with the highest NPAR levels (top 25%) had a 36% greater chance of having depression compared to those with the lowest levels. For moderate-to-severe depression specifically, those with high NPAR had more than double the risk.
This research matters because it identifies a simple blood test marker that could help identify people at higher risk for depression. For patients considering acupuncture, this is relevant because acupuncture has been shown in other studies to help reduce inflammation in the body. Since inflammation appears to play a key role in depression development, acupuncture's anti-inflammatory effects may be one mechanism by which it helps alleviate depressive symptoms. This study adds to our understanding of how physical inflammation and mental health are interconnected, supporting integrative approaches that address both aspects. To explore acupuncture for depression, seek a licensed acupuncturist (L.Ac.) with experience treating mental health conditions.
This cross-sectional analysis of NHANES data (2005-2018) examined the relationship between neutrophil percentage-to-albumin ratio (NPAR) and depression risk. Depression was assessed via PHQ-9 questionnaire. Weighted logistic regression and restricted cubic spline (RCS) analysis revealed a significant J-shaped non-linear association (P<0.001). After full covariate adjustment, NPAR showed positive association with depression (OR: 1.58, 95% CI: 1.11-2.25, P=0.010). Participants in the highest NPAR quartile (≥1.53) demonstrated 36% increased odds of depression (OR: 1.36, 95% CI: 1.04-1.78). For PHQ-9 scores 15-19, Q4 showed strongest association (OR: 2.17, 95% CI: 1.73-2.73, P<0.001). Clinical takeaway: NPAR represents a readily available biomarker combining inflammation indicators that may assist in identifying patients at elevated depression risk, supporting the inflammation-depression hypothesis and potentially guiding treatment approaches targeting inflammatory pathways.
Browse our directory of verified licensed practitioners near you.
Find a practitioner →📌 Acupuncture combined with wet cupping therapy produced significantly greater improvements in depression scores and neurological function in post-stroke depression patients compared to acupuncture alone, accompanied by favorable changes in stress hormones and inflammatory markers.
📌 Menopausal women experience depression rates 2-3 times higher than premenopausal women due to estrogen fluctuations that disrupt neurotransmitter systems, HPA axis function, and trigger neuroinflammation.
📌 Nine percent of perinatal women experience persistent depression throughout pregnancy and postpartum, with distinct risk factors predicting different depressive symptom trajectories requiring individualized treatment approaches.