Nocturnal temperature in affective disorder.
Level 4 - case-series / case-control
Case-control study with within-subject recovery comparison
PubMed 6461688 · doi:10.1016/0165-0327(82)90020-9
What was done
Circadian temperature rhythms were assessed in 9 drug-free patients with primary affective disorder during an active depressive episode and again following clinical recovery. These rhythms were compared cross-sectionally to those of 12 healthy control subjects.
What was found
The abstract reports no exact numerical values or statistics. Depressed patients had higher nocturnal body temperatures and reduced 24-hour temperature rhythm amplitudes relative to their recovered state and relative to controls. The timing of the temperature minimum did not differ between depressed patients and healthy controls, though 4 of 7 patients experienced an earlier nocturnal temperature minimum during depression compared to their own post-recovery measurements.
Why it matters
This early study provides preliminary evidence that circadian thermoregulation is altered during acute depressive episodes and may normalize upon recovery.
Limits
The sample size is extremely small (9 patients, only 7 evaluated longitudinally, and 12 controls). The abstract omits exact numerical temperatures, statistical significance values, measurement methodology, and demographic details.
Cited by
- supports Studies published by Dr. Avery in the 1980s and 1997 demonstrated that individuals with depression often exhibit elevated nighttime body temperature and impaired thermoregulatory cooling.