Associations between serum uric acid and depression among middle-aged and elderly participants in China

Few studies have investigated the sex-related associations between serum uric acid and depression. This study aimed to explore the associations between serum uric acid and depression stratified by sex among middle-aged and elderly Chinese participants. Using the baseline data of the China health and retirement longitudinal study (CHARLS), a total of 10,522 participants aged 45 years and older were included in the final analysis. Depression symptoms were measured with the 10-term Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale (CES-D). A multivariable logistic regression model was performed to examine the associations between serum uric acid levels and depression, and the results are presented using odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs). The prevalence of depression was 38% among middle-aged and elderly participants in China. In men, participants in the highest serum uric acid quartile had a decreased prevalence of depression relative to those in the lowest quartile (OR: 0.57; 95% CI: 0.41-0.81) after adjustment for potential confounders. However, there was no significant association between serum uric acid and depression among women. Participants with hyperuricemia were had no higher prevalence of depression relative to participants with normal serum uric acid level. Negative association between uric acid and depression was found in men, but not in women.