Vitamin D deficiency and depression in adults: systematic review and meta-analysis

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#adult #confidence-intervals #data-interpretation-statistical #depressive-disorder #epidemiologic-studies

Vitamin D deficiency and depression in adults: systematic review and meta-analysis

Anglin et al., 2013 | Br J Psychiatry | Meta Analysis

Citation

Anglin Rebecca E S, Samaan Zainab, ... McDonald Sarah D. Vitamin D deficiency and depression in adults: systematic review and meta-analysis. Br J Psychiatry. 2013-Feb;202:100-7. doi:10.1192/bjp.bp.111.106666

Abstract

BACKGROUND: There is conflicting evidence about the relationship between vitamin D deficiency and depression, and a systematic assessment of the literature has not been available. AIMS: To determine the relationship, if any, between vitamin D deficiency and depression. METHOD: A systematic review and meta-analysis of observational studies and randomised controlled trials was conducted. RESULTS: One case-control study, ten cross-sectional studies and three cohort studies with a total of 31 424 participants were analysed. Lower vitamin D levels were found in people with depression compared with controls (SMD = 0.60, 95% CI 0.23-0.97) and there was an increased odds ratio of depression for the lowest v. highest vitamin D categories in the cross-sectional studies (OR = 1.31, 95% CI 1.0-1.71). The cohort studies showed a significantly increased hazard ratio of depression for the lowest v. highest vitamin D categories (HR = 2.21, 95% CI 1.40-3.49). CONCLUSIONS: Our analyses are consistent with the hypothesis that low vitamin D concentration is associated with depression, and highlight the need for randomised controlled trials of vitamin D for the prevention and treatment of depression to determine whether this association is causal.

Key Findings

One case-control study, ten cross-sectional studies and three cohort studies with a total of 31 424 participants were analysed. Lower vitamin D levels were found in people with depression compared with controls (SMD = 0.60, 95% CI 0.23-0.97) and there was an increased odds ratio of depression for the lowest v. highest vitamin D categories in the cross-sectional studies (OR = 1.31, 95% CI 1.0-1.71). The cohort studies showed a significantly increased hazard ratio of depression for the lowest v. h

Outcomes Measured

  • depression

Population

Field Value
Population See abstract
Sample Size 424
Age Range See abstract
Condition depression

MeSH Terms

  • Adult
  • Confidence Intervals
  • Data Interpretation, Statistical
  • Depressive Disorder
  • Epidemiologic Studies
  • Humans
  • Odds Ratio
  • Vitamin D Deficiency

Evidence Classification

  • Level: Meta Analysis
  • Publication Types: Journal Article, Meta-Analysis, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't, Systematic Review
  • Vertical: vitamin-d-mood

Provenance

Source extracted via PubMed E-utilities API on 2026-04-09