Serum levels of CaMKII in patients with hyperventilation syndrome and its correlation with anxiety and depression

This research aimed to explore the serum levels of calcium/calmodulin-dependent protein kinase II (CaMKII) in hyperventilation syndrome (HVS) patients and its correlation with psychological disorders. This prospective observational study enrolled 168 HVS patients who came to our hospital from February 2021 to January 2023. The serum CaMKII, 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT), and brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) levels were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay method. Hamilton depression rating scale was used to assess the depression status of all study subjects. Hamilton anxiety rating scale, the self-rating anxiety scale, and the self-rating depression scale were used to further evaluate the psychological status of all patients. The self-rating depression scale, Hamilton anxiety rating scale, and self-rating anxiety scale scores in the depression group were significantly elevated compared to the non-depression group (P < .05). The serum CaMKII, 5-HT, and BDNF levels were significantly declined in the depression group compared to the non-depression group. Pearson analysis showed a positive correlation among CaMKII levels, 5-HT levels, and BDNF levels. Serum levels of CaMKII were associated with the psychological status of HVS patients (depression and anxiety). CaMKII could be used to predict depression in HVS patients. CaMKII was a risk factor for depression in HVS patients. This study showed that the serum CaMKII levels decreased in HVS patients with depression. The serum CaMKII level was correlated with 5-HT, BDNF and could be used to predict depression in HVS patients.