Serum Level of Melatonin and Severity of Coronary Artery Diseases

Background: Coronary Artery Disease (CAD) as a complex process will be the most common cause of death in the world by 2020. One of the relatively new factors associated with CAD is the plasma level of melatonin. This study aimed to determine the effect of plasma melatonin level on the occurrence and severity of CAD. Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted from August to December 2018 in Kerman, Iran. Eighty-seven adolescents with suspected CAD were selected via the convenience sampling method. Severity of CAD was evaluated by a cardiologist for each patient using Gensini score. The anxiety, depression, and sleep disturbance of participants were examined by HADS and PSIQ questionnaires, respectively. The blood sample of patients was taken at 3:30 a.m. and it was immediately transferred to the laboratory for serum separation. A two-part model was used for data analysis using STATA software. Results: The mean age (±SD) of the participants was 54.0 (±10.83) years. Less than half of the patients experienced anxiety and depression symptoms during last month (33% and 42%, respectively). Results showed that more than half of the patients (n=51, 57.5%) were diagnosed as CAD patients. According to multivariate regression models, melatonin (AOR=0.96, 95% CI: 0.94, 0.98) and depression (β: 0.79, 95% CI: 0.06, 1.52) were determined as predictors for CAD occurrence and severity, respectively. Conclusion: Melatonin as a protective factor has an effect on the occurrence and severity of CAD, but the existence of some diseases like mental disorders can lead to a decrease in the plasma concentration of melatonin. By treating depression and improving melatonin synthesis and secretion cycle, the occurrence and severity of CAD may be decreased.