Serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D and depressive symptoms in older women and men.
BACKGROUND
Hypovitaminosis D and depressive symptoms are common conditions in older adults.


OBJECTIVE
We examined the relationship between 25-hydroxyvitamin D [25(OH)D] and depressive symptoms over a 6-yr follow-up in a sample of older adults.


METHODS
This research is part of a population-based cohort study (InCHIANTI Study) in Tuscany, Italy.


METHODS
A total of 531 women and 423 men aged 65 yr and older participated.


METHODS
Serum 25(OH)D was measured at baseline. Depressive symptoms were assessed at baseline and at 3- and 6-yr follow-ups using the Center for Epidemiological Studies-Depression Scale (CES-D). Depressed mood was defined as CES-D of 16 or higher. Analyses were stratified by sex and adjusted for relevant biomarkers and variables related to sociodemographics, somatic health, and functional status.


RESULTS
Women with 25(OH)D less than 50 nmol/liter compared with those with higher levels experienced increases in CES-D scores of 2.1 (P = 0.02) and 2.2 (P = 0.04) points higher at, respectively, 3- and 6-yr follow-up. Women with low vitamin D (Vit-D) had also significantly higher risk of developing depressive mood over the follow-up (hazard ratio = 2.0; 95% confidence interval = 1.2-3.2; P = 0.005). In parallel models, men with 25(OH)D less than 50 nmol/liter compared with those with higher levels experienced increases in CES-D scores of 1.9 (P = 0.01) and 1.1 (P = 0.20) points higher at 3- and 6-yr follow-up. Men with low Vit- D tended to have higher risk of developing depressed mood (hazard ratio = 1.6; 95% confidence interval = 0.9-2.8; P = 0.1).


CONCLUSIONS
Our findings suggest that hypovitaminosis D is a risk factor for the development of depressive symptoms in older persons. The strength of the prospective association is higher in women than in men. Understanding the potential causal pathway between Vit- D deficiency and depression requires further research.
Milaneschi
Yuri
Y
Longitudinal Studies Section, National Institute on Aging, Clinical Research Branch, Harbor Hospital Center, Room NM540, 3001 South Hanover Street, Baltimore, MD 21225, USA.
Shardell
Michelle
M
Corsi
Anna Maria
AM
Vazzana
Rosamaria
R
Bandinelli
Stefania
S
Guralnik
Jack M
JM
Ferrucci
Luigi
L
D000339:Affect; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D003863:Depression / Q000097:blood*; D005260:Female; D015577:Geriatric Assessment; D006306:Health Surveys; D006801:Humans; D007558:Italy; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D008297:Male; D016016:Proportional Hazards Models; D011569:Psychiatric Status Rating Scales; D012307:Risk Factors; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014807:Vitamin D / Q000031:analogs & derivatives* / Q000097:blood; D014808:Vitamin D Deficiency / Q000097:blood*
D014807:Vitamin D; C104450:25-hydroxyvitamin D
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