05.27.08
Indication: Depression
Source: Arch Gen Psychiatry, May 2008;65(5):508-512.
Research: In this study, researchers set out to determine whether there is an association between depression and vitamin D levels in a group of 1282 senior citizens between the ages of 65 and 95. According to researchers, depression has incidentally been related to altered levels of 25-hydroxyvitamin D [25(OH)D] and parathyroid hormone (PTH), but this relation has never been studied systematically. Depression was measured using self-reports and diagnostic interviews. Levels of 25(OH)D and PTH were assessed. Potentially confounding factors (i.e., age, sex, smoking status, body mass index, number of chronic conditions and serum creatinine concentration) and explanatory factors (i.e., season of data acquisition, level of urbanization and physical activity) were also measured.
Results: Researchers found that levels of 25(OH)D were 14% lower in 169 persons with minor depression and 14% lower in 26 persons with major depressive disorder compared with levels in 1087 control individuals. Levels of PTH were 5% and 33% higher, respectively. This led researchers to conclude that there is definitely a link between depression status and severity with decreased serum 25(OH)D levels and increased serum PTH levels in older individuals.