Korean J Health Promot.  2023 Mar;23(1):18-27. 10.15384/kjhp.2023.23.1.18.

The Difference between Serum Vitamin D Level and Depressive Symptoms in Korean Adult Women before and after Menopause: The 5th (2010–2012) Korean National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey

• Lee S
• Choi HW
• Bae WK
• Shin EY

• KMID: 2541206
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.15384/kjhp.2023.23.1.18

Abstract

Background
The relationship between serum vitamin D levels and depressive symptoms has not been consistent in previous studies in Korean women. Menopause is known to be related to depression and vitamin D.
Methods
This study included 11,573 women from the 5th Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey. Serum vitamin D levels were divided into four groups according to quartiles, and depressive symptoms were collected into two groups. Multiple logistic regression analysis was conducted in each group of women before and after menopause.
Results
Compared with the highest vitamin D group, the lowest vitamin D group did not show significant differences in all females (odds ratio [OR], 0.98; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.78-1.22). In premenopausal women, compared to the first quartile, ORs were presented in the second quartile (OR, 0.75; 95% CI, 0.53-1.07), third quartile (OR, 0.70; 95% CI, 0.49-1.00) and fourth quartile (OR, 0.62; 95% CI, 0.43-0.92) respectively, and they were statistically significant (P=0.016). In postmenopausal women, compared to the first quartile, ORs were presented in the second quartile (OR, 1.06; 95% CI, 0.78-1.44), third quartile (OR, 1.18; 95% CI, 0.87-1.61), and fourth quartile (OR, 1.27; 95% CI, 0.98-1.66) respectively; however, they were not statistically significant (P=0.057).
Conclusions
Depression symptoms increased with a decrease in serum vitamin D in premenopausal women, but the opposite trend was observed in postmenopausal women. In future studies, if the relationship between blood vitamin D and depression is studied, the menopausal status of women can be used as an important criterion.

Keyword

Vitamin D; Depression; Menopause; Women

Figure

• 

  Fig. 1. Association between vitamin D status and depression. (A) Total adult women, (B) premenopausal women, (C) postmenopausal women. Serum vitamin D status was categorized into groups, according to serum 25(OH)D concentrations quartile Total adult women: Q1: 2.95-12.48 ng/mL, Q2: 12.49-15.68 ng/mL, Q3: 15.69-19.7 ng/mL, Q4: 19.71-53.54 ng/mL. Premenopausal status: Q1: 2.95-11.75 ng/mL, Q2: 11.76-14.55 ng/mL, Q3: 14.56-17.8 ng/mL, Q4: 17.81-44.59 ng/mL. Postmenopausal status: Q1: 4.11-13.39 ng/mL, Q2: 13.4-17.02 ng/mL, Q3: 17.02-21.29 ng/mL, Q4: 21.3-53.54 ng/mL. *P-values were obtained using chi-square test. 25(OH)D, Q1, first quartile group; Q2, second quartile group; Q3, third quartile group; Q4, fourth quartile group; 25-hydroxyvitamin D.

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