biostudies-literatureUnknown25(1)Shao X<h4>Background</h4>Depression is intricately correlated with systemic inflammatory responses. The Inflammatory Burden Index (IBI) has recently been introduced as a comprehensive metric for evaluating systemic inflammation. This study aims to explore the correlation between IBI and depression in the general population.<h4>Methods</h4>This cross-sectional study was designed to analyze the data from National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) during the period from 1999 to 2018. IBI was formulated as C-reactive protein×neutrophils/lymphocytes. The correlation between the prevalence of depression and IBI was explored through multivariate logistic regression analyses, as well as subgroup, interaction, restricted cubic spline (RCS) and sensitivity analyses.<h4>Results</h4>A total oBMC psychiatry306https://www.ebi.ac.uk/biostudies/studies/S-EPMC11956433biostudies-literatureInflammatory burden index is correlated with increased depression: a population-based study.PMC11956433Shao XZhu LXie ZfalseInflammatory burden index is correlated with increased depression: a population-based study.<h4>Background</h4>Depression is intricately correlated with systemic inflammatory responses. The Inflammatory Burden Index (IBI) has recently been introduced as a comprehensive metric for evaluating systemic inflammation. This study aims to explore the correlation between IBI and depression in the general population.<h4>Methods</h4>This cross-sectional study was designed to analyze the data from National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) during the period from 1999 to 2018. IBI was formulated as C-reactive protein×neutrophils/lymphocytes. The correlation between the prevalence of depression and IBI was explored through multivariate logistic regression analyses, as well as subgroup, interaction, restricted cubic spline (RCS) and sensitivity analyses.<h4>Results</h4>A total o2025-01-01T00:00:00Z2025 Mar2025-07-11T03:03:42.48Z2025-07-11T03:03:42.48ZS-EPMC119564334016515510.1186/s12888-025-06730-6