BACKGROUND

Major depressive disorder (MDD) has been implicated as a risk factor for various immune-related disorders; however, the association between MDD and subsequent autoimmune skin diseases (ASDs) remains unclear. This study aimed to investigate the association of MDD with risk of subsequent ASDs.

METHODS

Subjects were recruited from the National Health Insurance Research Database in Taiwan. We included 222,522 patients with MDD and 890,088 matched controls to assess the risk of developing ASDs.

RESULTS

After controlling for confounders, we found an increased risk of ASDs among the patients with MDD (adjusted hazard ratio [aHR], 10.41; 95% CI, 9.62-11.42) compared to matched controls. Subgroup analyses showed that MDD patients had a significantly increased risk of developing psoriasis (aHR, 12.01; 95% CI, 10.37-13.91), lichen planus (aHR, 11.84; 95% CI, 8.90-15.75), alopecia areata (aHR, 11.61; 95% CI, 9.92-13.59), morphea (aHR, 6.03; 95% CI, 2.47-14.73), autoimmune bullous diseases (aHR, 7.67; 95% CI, 5.94-9.90), hidradenitis suppurativa (aHR, 8.45; 95% CI, 3.61-19.74), vitiligo (aHR, 7.24; 95% CI, 5.65-9.28), lupus erythematosus (aHR, 11.30; 95% CI, 9.21-13.86), systemic sclerosis (aHR, 8.07; 95% CI, 4.30-15.14), Sjogren's syndrome (aHR, 6.71; 95% CI, 5.29-8.50), and dermatomyositis (aHR, 14.44; 95% CI, 5.55-37.55).

CONCLUSIONS

Patients with MDD had an increased risk of developing ASDs as compared to the controls. Further studies are needed to better understand the underlying mechanisms.