Association Between Bone Mineral Density and Depressive Symptoms in a Population-Based Sample

Area of Science:

• Gerontology
• Epidemiology
• Bone Metabolism

Background:

• Bone mineral density (BMD) is crucial for skeletal health, and its decline is associated with osteoporosis and fractures.
• Depressive symptoms are prevalent and can impact overall health, but their relationship with BMD requires further investigation.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the association between depressive symptom severity and BMD in a diverse, population-based cohort.
• To explore potential age-related differences in the relationship between depression and bone health.

Main Methods:

• The Dallas Heart Study (DHS-2) provided data from a multiethnic sample, assessing depressive symptoms using the Quick Inventory of Depressive Symptomatology-Self Report (QIDS-SR₁₆).
• Bone mineral density was measured via dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry.
• Multiple linear regression analyses were performed, controlling for various demographic, lifestyle, and clinical factors, with subgroup analyses for age.

Main Results:

• In the overall cohort (n=2,285), QIDS-SR₁₆ scores did not significantly predict lumbar spine or total hip BMD.
• A significant interaction between age and QIDS-SR₁₆ scores was observed.
• In participants aged 60 years or older (n=465), higher QIDS-SR₁₆ scores were significantly associated with lower BMD at both the lumbar spine and total hip.

Conclusions:

• Depressive symptom severity was not a significant predictor of BMD in the general population sample.
• A significant inverse relationship between depressive symptoms and BMD was identified in individuals aged 60 and above.
• These findings highlight the clinical importance of addressing depressive symptoms in older adults, who are at heightened risk for osteoporosis and fractures.