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Low vitamin D levels are associated with symptoms of depression in young adult males

Results from studies examining associations between serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25(OH)D) concentrations and depressive symptoms are equivocal.

Authors:
Black LJ, Jacoby P, Allen KL, Trapp GS, Hart PH, Byrne SM, Mori TA, Beilin LJ, Oddy WH

Authors notes:
Australian and New Zealand Journal of Psychiatry. 2013: Online

Keywords:
Depression, mental health, Vitamin D, Raine Study

Abstract:
Results from studies examining associations between serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25(OH)D) concentrations and depressive symptoms are equivocal.

We investigated the relationship between serum 25(OH)D concentrations and symptoms of depression, anxiety and stress in a cross-sectional analysis of a population-based sample of young adults participating in the Western Australian Pregnancy Cohort (Raine) Study.

After adjusting for confounders, an increase in serum 25(OH)D concentrations of 10 nmol/L decreased total DASS-21 scores in males by 9%  and depression subscale scores in males by 8%.

However, in adjusted models there were no significant associations between serum 25(OH)D concentrations and symptoms of anxiety and stress in males.

There were no significant associations between serum 25(OH)D concentrations and symptoms of depression, anxiety and stress in females.

We found an association between serum 25(OH)D concentrations and symptoms of depression, but not anxiety and stress, in males.

Randomised controlled trials are necessary to determine any benefit of vitamin D supplementation in the prevention and treatment of depressive symptoms in young adults.