Predicted vitamin D levels and risk of depression in the SUN Project: A prospective cohort study

• Published in: Journal of psychiatric research Vol. 179; pp. 314 - 321
• Main Authors: Sabião, Thaís da Silva, Valer-Martínez, Ana, Sayon-Orea, Carmen, Sanchez-Villegas, Almudena, Pons, Juan José, Carraro, Júlia Cristina Cardoso, Martinez-Gonzalez, Miguel Ángel, Bes-Rastrollo, Maira
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: England Elsevier Ltd 01.11.2024
• Subjects: Depression; Prospective studies; SUN cohort; Sun exposure; Vitamin D; SUN cohort; Depression; Prospective studies; Vitamin D; Sun exposure
• ISSN: 0022-3956; 1879-1379; 1879-1379
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jpsychires.2024.09.034

The current study aimed to investigate the association between predicted vitamin D status and depression in a prospective Spanish cohort of university graduates. The SUN Project is a dynamic cohort study designed to investigate multiple aspects of health and lifestyle. Participants were asked to complete a comprehensive questionnaire consisting of 556 items, that included a validated food-frequency questionnaire. Participants initially free of depression were classified as incident cases if they reported a medical diagnosis of depression during follow-up. Serum vitamin D levels were predicted by a previously validated equation. Vitamin D deficiency was defined as vitamin D levels below 20 ng/mL. Cox models were used to estimate adjusted hazard ratios (HR) and 95% confidence intervals (95% CI). We included 15,175 Spanish university graduates [mean (SD) age: 36.9 year (11.5)] followed-up for a median of 12.7 years. Among 192,976 person-years of follow-up, we identified 753 incident cases of depression. Participants with vitamin D deficiency had a 27% higher risk of depression as compared to those with vitamin D sufficiency (HR: 1.27, 95% CI: 1.09–1.48; p = 0.002) after adjusting for potential confounders. Furthermore, a significant effect modification by female sex was observed with higher depression risks associated with vitamin D deficiency in women than in men (p for interaction = 0.034). In educated middle-aged Spanish adults, we observed a direct association between vitamin D deficiency and the risk of depression, that was stronger among women. [Display omitted] •Vitamin D deficiency causes depression risk in educated middle-aged Spanish adults.•A validated equation was employed for predicting serum vitamin D levels.•Sex interacts in vitamin D-depression risk association.•Higher depression risk found in women with lower levels of vitamin D.•Addressing vitamin D deficiency is crucial for preventing depression.