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Vitamin D and depressive symptoms in children with cystic fibrosis

Beth A Smith1, Alex Cogswell1, Georgina Garcia2

  • 1Division of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, State University of New York at Buffalo, Buffalo, NY.

Psychosomatics
|March 12, 2013
PubMed

Insights

Vitamin D deficiency is common in cystic fibrosis (CF) patients and linked to more depressive symptoms. This study found low vitamin D levels were associated with higher depression scores in youth with CF.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatric Health
  • Endocrinology
  • Mental Health

Background:

  • Vitamin D deficiency is prevalent in cystic fibrosis (CF) patients.
  • The link between vitamin D levels and depression in CF has not been studied.
  • Low vitamin D (hypovitaminosis D) is nearly universal in individuals with CF.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the association between serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25(OH)D) levels and depressive symptoms in youth with CF.
  • This pilot study sought to understand the relationship between vitamin D status and depression in a pediatric CF population.

Main Methods:

  • A cross-sectional study analyzed serum 25(OH)D and Children's Depression Inventory (CDI) scores in 38 youth (ages 7-17) with CF.
  • Depressive symptoms were assessed using the CDI (scores >12 indicating significance).
  • Vitamin D insufficiency was defined as 25(OH)D levels <30 ng/mL.

Main Results:

  • 59% of participants had insufficient vitamin D levels.
  • 28% of youth with CF exhibited significant depressive symptoms.
  • Serum 25(OH)D levels were negatively correlated with CDI scores (r = -0.55, p < 0.001), indicating lower vitamin D was linked to higher depression scores.

Conclusions:

  • Vitamin D insufficiency is associated with depressive symptoms in youth with cystic fibrosis.
  • Further research with larger sample sizes and diagnostic methods is needed to confirm the link between vitamin D and depression in CF.
Abstract

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