Depression in Icelandic men 2.5 X more likely if vitamin D deficient

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

Journal of Nutritional Science (2015), vol. 4, e37, page 1 of 8

Cindy M. Imai. Thorhallur I. Halldorsson, Gudny Eiriksdottir, Mary F. Cotch, Laufey Steingrimsdottir, Inga Thorsdottir, Lenore J. Launer, Tamara Harris, Vilmundur Gudnason and Ingibjorg Gunnarsdottir

1. Unit for Nutrition Research, Landspitali – The National University Hospital of Iceland and Faculty of Food Science and Nutrition, School of Health Sciences, University of Iceland, Eiriksgata 29, 101 Reykjavik, Iceland

2. Department of Epidemiology Research, Centre for Fetal Programming, Statens Serum Institut, 5, Artillerivej, 2300 Copenhagen S, Denmark

3. Icelandic Heart Association, Holtasmari 1, 201 Kopavogur, Iceland

4. Division of Epidemiology and Clinical Applications, National Eye Institute, 10 Center Drive, MSC 1204, Bethesda, MD 20892-1204, USA

5. National Institute on Aging, Laboratory of Epidemiology, and Population Sciences, 7201 Wisconsin Avenue, Bethesda, MD 20892-9205, USA

6. Faculty of Medicine, School of Health Sciences, University of Iceland, Vatnsmyrarvegur 16, 101 Reykjavik, Iceland

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.

Why there was not also an assocation for women?

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