Vitamin D is independently associated with depression in overweight women with and without PCOS

Depression, anxiety, and inflammation are common in polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). Inflammation may adversely impact on mood and vitamin D has been associated with both mood disorders and inflammation in the general population, but these relationships have not been studied in PCOS. The aim of this study was to investigate the association among 25 hydroxy-Vitamin D (25OHVD) status, anxiety, depression, and inflammation in women with and without PCOS.

Cross-sectional study in overweight or obese premenopausal women with (n = 50) and without (n = 23) PCOS. Primary outcome measures were 25OHVD, mood (Hospital Anxiety and Depression questionnaire), and inflammation (highly sensitive C-reactive protein (hsCRP)).

Vitamin D deficiency (25OHVD<50 nmol/L) (46% versus 39%, p = 0.311) and 25OHVD (50.4 ± 22.2 nmol/L versus 51.6 ± 19.0 nmol/L, p = 0.828) were not significantly different in women with and without PCOS. For all women combined, 25OHVD was the only significant independent predictor of depression (β = -0.063 ± 0.021, p = 0.005) and hsCRP (β = -0.041 ± 0.015, p = 0.010).

Vitamin D deficiency is common in both women with and without PCOS with no differences between the groups. Vitamin D is independently associated with depression and inflammation in overweight women both with and without PCOS. Further investigation to clarify the interrelationship among vitamin D, inflammation and depression is required to identify optimal prevention and treatment strategies for psychological and metabolic dysfunction in PCOS.