# Association of gut microbiota with depression post-myocardial infarction: A systematic evaluation and meta-analysis protocol

## TL;DR

This study aims to explore the link between gut bacteria and depression after heart attacks, potentially supporting probiotics as a treatment.

## Contribution

The study introduces a systematic evaluation and meta-analysis protocol to investigate gut microbiota's role in post-MI depression.

## Key findings

- The protocol will assess gut microbiota profiles and depression scores in post-MI patients.
- Subgroup analyses will explore depression severity, study type, and geographic region.
- Findings may support probiotics as an adjunctive treatment for post-MI depression.

## Abstract

Depression post-myocardial infarction (MI) is becoming more prevalent. The gut-brain axis (GBA), influenced by the gut microbiota, is a critical component in understanding depression post-MI. Despite the well-established connection between gut microbiota and depression post-MI, this relationship remains incompletely understood.

This protocol will follow the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Review and Meta-analysis Protocol (PRISMA-P) 2020 statement. Beginning from inception to October 2023, a systematic search will be conducted across eight electronic databases, including PubMed, MEDLINE, Scopus, Embase, Cochrane Clinical Trials Database, Web of Science, China National Knowledge Infrastructure, and China Biomedical Literature Database. Pre-selected studies will be independently assessed by two researchers following a standard inclusion, data extraction and quality assessment protocol. The primary outcome measures are differences in the profile of gut microbiota and rating scale scores for depression. Fixed-effects models will be used when both clinical heterogeneity and statistical heterogeneity are low, otherwise random-effects models will be used. Furthermore, subgroup analyses will be conducted on the depression severity of the participants using the same psychiatric scales employed, study type and geographic region. Random forest plot runs and research-related statistical analyses will be carried out using Rev Man V.5.3 software.

This study will identify the association between the gut microbiota and the onset of depression post-MI, and provide evidence for the use of probiotics as an adjunctive treatment for depression post-MI.

Prospero registration number:
CRD42023444026.