Long-term association of Ramadan fasting and depression score: results from MASHAD Cohort Study

Depression is a mood-related disease that affects a person's life. The effects of Ramadan fasting on mental health, including depression, have been investigated in a few previous studies. So, this study examines the long-term association between fasting during Ramadan and depression.

This was a retrospective cohort study based on the data of the MASHAD (Mashhad stroke and heart atherosclerotic disorder) study. Depression was considered as scores >13 using Beck's depression inventory II (BDI II). The study subjects included three groups of healthy, people who developed depression during follow-up (Dep1-, Dep2+), and people who suffered from depression during study (Dep1+, Dep2+).

A total of 8609 individuals completed the study. There was no significant association between fasting throughout life and Ramadan with the incidence of depression (p > 0.05). However, an earlier age of initiation for the first experience of Ramadan fasting was associated with 8.4% higher incidence of depression (OR: 0.916, CI (0.889-0.944)) in Dep1-, Dep2 + group and 10.7% for Dep1+, Dep2+ (OR: 0.893, CI: (0.861-0.925)) (p < 0.001).

Fasting during Ramadan may not be associated with the incidence of depression, but the lower age of first Ramadan fasting could be related to depression.