Serum levels of oxytocin in patients with major depression, generalized anxiety disorder, panic disorder and social anxiety disorder diagnosed according to DSM-5 criteria compared with healthy controls

Introduction and aim: Oxytocin is a hormone which effects are well known on birth , breastfeeding and bonding between mother and child and couples. In addition, oxytocin is called endogenous anti-stress, antidepressants and anxiolytic hormone and reported that increase in stressful situations to reduce the hyperactivity of the HPA axis and amygdala, facilitate to coping with stress and improve social functioning. In this study, it was aimed to compare serum oxytocin levels with depression, generalized anxiety disorder, panic disorder, panic disorder with agoraphobia and social anxiety disorder patients with healthy controls. Material and method: Total 176 participants admitted to the Abant İzzet Baysal University Medical Faculty psychiatry outpatient clinic between October 2013 to January 2015, between 18-65 years of age, without any psychotropic drugs, 50 patients (25 male, 25 female) diagnosed with major depression, 25 patients (9 male and 16 female) diagnosed with generalized anxiety disorder, 31 patients (14 male and 17 female) diagnosed with social anxiety disorder, 40 patients (17 male and 23 female) diagnosed with panic disorder and 30 healthy control (13 male and 17 female)were included in this study. Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (HAM-D), Hamilton Anxiety Rating Scale (HAM-A), Perceived Stress Scale (PSS) and Anxiety Sensitivity Index (ASI-3) were applied to all groups. In addition, Generalized Anxiety Disorder 7-Item Test (GAD-7) was applied to patients with generalized anxiety disorder, Panic Disorder Severity Scale (PDSS) was applied to patients with panic disorder and Liebowitz Social Phobia Scale (LSPS)was applied to patients with social anxiety disorder. Serum levels of oxytocin, all of the groups included in the study was measured by ELISA. Results: In patients with depression, serum oxytocin levels were significantly lower compared with healthy controls. In patients with generalized anxiety disorder, social anxiety disorder and panic disorder with agoraphobia serum levels of oxytocin were significantly higher compared with healthy controls. In patients with panic disorder serum levels of oxytocin tended to be high but not statistically significant difference compared with healthy controls. In depressed patients with anxiety subtype, serum levels of oxytocin were significantly higher compared with melancholic and atypical subtypes of depressed patients and healthy controls. In patients with panic disorder+agoraphobia, serum levels of oxytocin were significantly higher compared with panic disorder patients without agoraphobia. There was no significant difference in oxytocin levels between generalized and performance subtype of generalized anxiety disorder patients. Conclusion: In this study, lower oxytocin levels in depressed patients may be a factor contributing to the development of depression, because of oxytocin is thought to increase the production of serotonin, dopamine and norepinephrine and activate BDNF production, MAP kinase pathway and phosphorylation of CREB. İncreased oxtyocin levels in patients with anxiety subtype of depression, generalized anxiety disorder, panic disorder with agoraphobia and social anxiety disorder may be a compensatory mechanism to reduce anxiety and stress or oxytocin receptor dysfunction. Keywords: Depression, GAD, SAD, PD, Agoraphobia, Oxytocin