이수미1, 최희원2, 배우경1, 신은영3

1 분당서울대학교병원 가정의학과, 2서울대학교병원 가정의학과, 3분당서울대학교병원 보건의료서비스과

Background: The relationship between serum vitamin D
levels and depressive symptoms has not been con-
sistent in previous studies in Korean women. Menopause is
known to be related to depression and vitamin D.
Methods: This study included 11,573 women from the 5th
Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination
Survey. Serum vitamin D levels were divided into four groups
according to quartiles, and depressive symptoms
were collected into two groups. Multiple logistic regression
analysis was conducted in each group of women be-
fore and after menopause.
Results: Compared with the highest vitamin D group, the
lowest vitamin D group did not show significant differ-
ences in all females (odds ratio [OR], 0.98; 95% confidence
interval [CI], 0.78-1.22). In premenopausal women,
compared to the first quartile, ORs were presented in the
second quartile (OR, 0.75; 95% CI, 0.53-1.07), third
quartile (OR, 0.70; 95% CI, 0.49-1.00) and fourth quartile (OR,
0.62; 95% CI, 0.43-0.92) respectively, and they
were statistically significant (P=0.016). In postmenopausal
women, compared to the first quartile, ORs were
presented in the second quartile (OR, 1.06; 95% CI, 0.78-
1.44), third quartile (OR, 1.18; 95% CI, 0.87-1.61),
and fourth quartile (OR, 1.27; 95% CI, 0.98-1.66) respectively;
however, they were not statistically significant
(P=0.057).
Conclusions: Depression symptoms increased with a
decrease in serum vitamin D in premenopausal women,
but the opposite trend was observed in postmenopausal
women. In future studies, if the relationship between
blood vitamin D and depression is studied, the menopausal
status of women can be used as an important
criterion.
Korean J Health Promot 2023;23(1):18-27
Keywords: Vitamin D, Depression, Menopause, Women