Relationship between vitamin D levels and depressive symptoms in older residents from a national survey population.
OBJECTIVE
To investigate the association between vitamin D deficiency and depressive symptoms in a national community sample of older people. Vitamin D deficiency is common in older people with potential effects on mood.


METHODS
Data were analyzed from 2070 participants aged ≥65 years who had participated in the 2005 Health Survey for England. Serum 25-hydroxy vitamin D (25(OH)D) levels and depressive symptoms (Geriatric Depression Scale) had been measured. Covariates included age, sex, social class, season of examination, and physical health status.


RESULTS
Depressive symptoms were associated with clinical vitamin D deficiency (25(OH)D levels <10 ng/mL; present in 9.8%) independent of other covariates but not with broader deficiency states. This association was not modified by season of examination.


CONCLUSIONS
Vitamin D deficiency is associated with late-life depression in northern latitudes.
Stewart
Robert
R
Department of Health Service and Population Research, King's College London (Institute of Psychiatry), London, United Kingdom.
Hirani
Vasant
V
D000368:Aged; D015992:Body Mass Index; D015897:Comorbidity; D003863:Depression / Q000097:blood / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology; D003865:Major Depressive Disorder / Q000097:blood* / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology; D004739:England / Q000453:epidemiology; D005260:Female; D015577:Geriatric Assessment; D006304:Health Status; D006306:Health Surveys; D006801:Humans; D016015:Logistic Models; D008297:Male; D009765:Obesity / Q000097:blood; D050177:Overweight / Q000097:blood; D012307:Risk Factors; D012621:Seasons; D014807:Vitamin D / Q000097:blood*; D014808:Vitamin D Deficiency / Q000097:blood* / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology
D014807:Vitamin D