Depression and serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D in older adults living at northern latitudes – AGES-Reykjavik Study

• Published in: Journal of Nutritional Science
• Main Authors: Imai, Cindy M., Halldorsson, Thorhallur I., Eiriksdottir, Gudny, Cotch, Mary F., Steingrimsdottir, Laufey, Thorsdottir, Inga, Launer, Lenore J., Harris, Tamara, Gudnason, Vilmundur, Gunnarsdottir, Ingibjorg
• Format: Article in Journal/Newspaper
• Language: English
• Published: Cambridge University Press (CUP) 2015
• Subjects: Endocrinology, Diabetes and Metabolism; Food Science; Nutrition and Dietetics; Iceland
• Online Access: http://dx.doi.org/10.1017/jns.2015.27; https://www.cambridge.org/core/services/aop-cambridge-core/content/view/S2048679015000270

Abstract Low vitamin D status may be associated with depression. Few studies have examined vitamin D and depression in older adults living at northern latitudes. The present study cross-sectionally investigated serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25(OH)D) status and depression among 5006 community-dwelling older persons (66–96 years) living in Iceland (latitudes 64–66°N). Depressive symptoms were measured by the fifteen-item Geriatric Depression Scale (GDS-15). Current major depressive disorder was assessed according to Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, fourth edition (DSM-IV) criteria. Serum 25(OH)D was analysed using chemiluminescence immunoassay and categorised into three groups: deficient (<30 nmol/l); inadequate (30–49·9 nmol/l); and adequate (≥50 nmol/l). There were twenty-eight (2 %) men and fifty (1 %) women with current major depressive disorder. Mean GDS-15 scores for men and women with adequate vitamin D concentrations were 2·1 and 2·2, respectively. Men and women with deficient v. adequate vitamin D status had more depressive symptoms (higher GDS-15 scores) (difference 0·7 (95 % CI 0·4, 0·9) and 0·4 (95 % CI 0·1, 0·6), respectively). Furthermore, men with deficient vitamin D status were more likely to have current major depressive disorder (adjusted OR 2·51; 95 % CI 1·03, 6·13) compared with men with adequate vitamin D status. Associations among women were not significant. In this older population living at northern latitudes, deficient vitamin D status may be associated with depression. Further investigations are warranted to evaluate the pathways that may be associated with risk of depression among older adults.