Serum Vitamin D and Depressive Symptomatology among Boston-Area Puerto Ricans

Abstract

ABSTRACT Background Low vitamin D status, assessed using serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D [25(OH)D] concentration, has been associated with depression, but research among minority populations, such as Puerto Ricans is limited. We examined the association between serum 25(OH)D and self-reported depressive symptomatology across 3 waves of follow-up in a cohort of Puerto Rican adults residing in Massachusetts. Objectives We evaluated the cross-sectional and longitudinal associations between serum 25(OH)D and self-reported depressive symptoms in the Boston Puerto Rican Health Study (BPRHS) cohort. Methods Participants of the BPRHS were evaluated for depressive symptoms using the Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale (CES-D). Serum 25(OH)D was measured at baseline (n = 1434), year 2 (n = 1218), and year 5 (n = 914). We categorized serum 25(OH)D concentration as sufficient (≥20 ng/mL), insufficient (12 to <20 ng/mL), and deficient (<12 ng/mL). Multivariable linear regression was used for cross-sectional analyses at baseline, and repeated measures mixed effects modeling was used over 3 waves of follow-up for longitudinal analyses. We conducted sensitivity analyses in vitamin D supplement nonusers and participants with complete data on baseline serum 25(OH)D and CES-D at all 3 visits. Results Serum 25(OH)D concentration was not associated with CES-D score in cross-sectional analysis [β = −0.85; 95% CI: −2.80, 1.10 for deficient compared with sufficient 25(OH)D; P-trend = 0.59] or in longitudinal analyses over 5 y [β = −0.41; 95% CI: −1.95, 1.13 for deficient compared with sufficient 25(OH)D; P-trend = 0.93]. Results were similar in sensitivity analyses restricted to vitamin D supplement nonusers (n = 1371) and in analyses conducted in participants with complete measures of baseline serum 25(OH)D and CES-D score at all 3 visits (n = 887) [β = −0.12; 95% CI: −1.98, 1.74 for deficient compared with sufficient 25(OH)D; P-trend = 0.93]. Conclusions We did not observe a significant association between serum 25(OH)D and depressive symptomatology in the BPRHS cohort.