Low Serum 25-Hydroxyvitamin D Concentrations Are Associated with Increased Likelihood of Having Depressive Symptoms among Japanese Workers. Issue 3 (31st December 2014)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Mizoue, Tetsuya; Kochi, Takeshi; Akter, Shamima; Eguchi, Masafumi; Kurotani, Kayo; Tsuruoka, Hiroko; Kuwahara, Keisuke; Ito, Rie; Kabe, Isamu; Nanri, Akiko
• Is Part Of: Journal of nutrition. Volume 145:Issue 3(2015)
• Page Start: 541
• Page End: 546
• Publication Date: 2014-12-31
• Subjects: cross-sectional studies -- depressive symptoms -- Japanese -- worker -- 25-hydroxyvitamin D; Nutrition -- Periodicals; Diet -- Periodicals; 613.205
• DOI: 10.3945/jn.114.204115
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0022-3166

Abstract

Abstract: Background: Accumulating evidence suggests a protective role of vitamin D against mood disorders; however, epidemiologic studies are scarce in working populations. Objective: We investigated cross-sectionally the association of serum vitamin D status and depressive symptoms among Japanese workers. Methods: Participants were 1786 employees (9% women), aged 19–69 y, who received health check-ups and participated in a nutrition and health survey. Serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D [25(OH)D] concentrations were measured with the use of a competitive protein binding assay. Depressive symptoms were assessed by using the Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression (CES-D) scale. Logistic regression was used to estimate ORs with adjustment for potential confounding variables including dietary factors. Results: Overall, 92% of study participants had suboptimal vitamin D status [25(OH)D <30 μg/L]. Depressive symptoms were inversely associated with 25(OH)D. Compared with those with a 25(OH)D concentration of <20 μg/L, multivariable-adjusted ORs (95% CIs) for depressive symptoms (CES-D scale score ≥16) were 0.75 (0.59, 0.95) and 0.66 (0.41, 1.06) for those with a 25(OH)D concentration of 20–29 μg/L and ≥30 μg/L, respectively ( P -trend = 0.01). After further adjustment for leisure-time physical activity and shift work (factors closely related to photo-initiated vitamin D production), the OR (95% CI) for the highest category of 25(OH)D was 0.70 (0.43, 1.14). The association between 25(OH)D and depressive symptoms appears to be linear, according to restricted cubic spline regression. Conclusion: Results suggest that lower concentrations of circulating vitamin D are associated with increased likelihood of having depressive symptoms among apparently healthy workers.