Am J Psychiatry 157:715-721, May 2000
© 2000 American Psychiatric Association
Vitamin B12 Deficiency and Depression in Physically Disabled Older Women: Epidemiologic Evidence From the Women’s Health and Aging Study
Brenda W.J.H. Penninx, Ph.D.,
Jack M. Guralnik, M.D., Ph.D.,
Luigi Ferrucci, M.D., Ph.D.,
Linda P. Fried, M.D., Ph.D.,
Robert H. Allen, M.D., and
Sally P. Stabler, M.D.
ABSTRACT
OBJECTIVE: It has been hypothesized that adequate concentrations of vitamin B12 and folate are essential to maintain the integrity of the neurological systems involved in mood regulation, but epidemiologic evidence for such a link in the general population is unavailable. This study examined whether community-dwelling older women with metabolically significant vitamin B12 or folate deficiency are particularly prone to depression. METHOD: Serum levels of vitamin B12, folate, methylmalonic acid, and total homocysteine were assayed in 700 disabled, nondemented women aged 65 years and over living in the community. Depressive symptoms were measured by means of the Geriatric Depression Scale and categorized as no depression, mild depression, and severe depression. RESULTS: Serum homocysteine levels, serum folate levels, and the prevalences of folate deficiency and anemia were not associated with depression status. The depressed subjects, especially those with severe depression, had a significantly higher serum methylmalonic acid level and a nonsignificantly lower serum vitamin B12 level than the nondepressed subjects. Metabolically significant vitamin B12 deficiency was present in 14.9% of the 478 nondepressed subjects, 17.0% of the 100 mildly depressed subjects, and 27.0% of the 122 severely depressed women. After adjustment for sociodemographic characteristics and health status, the subjects with vitamin B12 deficiency were 2.05 times as likely to be severely depressed as were nondeficient subjects. CONCLUSIONS: In community-dwelling older women, metabolically significant vitamin B12deficiency is associated with a twofold risk of severe depression.
This article has been cited by other articles:
|
|
|
|
 
J.-M. Kim, R. Stewart, S.-W. Kim, S.-J. Yang, I.-S. Shin, and J.-S. Yoon
Predictive value of folate, vitamin B12 and homocysteine levels in late-life depression
The British Journal of Psychiatry,
April 1, 2008;
192(4):
268 - 274.
[Abstract]
[Full Text]
[PDF]
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
S. Gilbody, T. Lightfoot, and T. Sheldon
Is low folate a risk factor for depression? A meta-analysis and exploration of heterogeneity
J. Epidemiol. Community Health,
July 1, 2007;
61(7):
631 - 637.
[Abstract]
[Full Text]
[PDF]
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
M. Folstein, T. Liu, I. Peter, J. Buel, L. Arsenault, T. Scott, and W. W. Qiu
The Homocysteine Hypothesis of Depression
Am J Psychiatry,
June 1, 2007;
164(6):
861 - 867.
[Abstract]
[Full Text]
[PDF]
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
S. Loikas, P. Koskinen, K. Irjala, M. Lopponen, R. Isoaho, S.-L. Kivela, and T.-T. Pelliniemi
Vitamin B12 deficiency in the aged: a population-based study
Age Ageing,
March 1, 2007;
36(2):
177 - 183.
[Abstract]
[Full Text]
[PDF]
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
S. P Stabler, R. H Allen, E. T Dolce, and M. A. Johnson
Elevated serum S-adenosylhomocysteine in cobalamin-deficient elderly and response to treatment
Am. J. Clinical Nutrition,
December 1, 2006;
84(6):
1422 - 1429.
[Abstract]
[Full Text]
[PDF]
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
M. K. Rainer, H. A. M. Mucke, S. Zehetmayer, W. Krampla, T. Kuselbauer, S. Weissgram, S. Jungwirth, K. H. Tragl, and P. Fischer
Data From the VITA Study Do Not Support the Concept of Vascular Depression.
Am J Geriatr Psychiatry,
June 1, 2006;
14(6):
531 - 537.
[Abstract]
[Full Text]
[PDF]
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
H. Refsum, E. Nurk, A. D. Smith, P. M. Ueland, C. G. Gjesdal, I. Bjelland, A. Tverdal, G. S. Tell, O. Nygard, and S. E. Vollset
The Hordaland Homocysteine Study: A Community-Based Study of Homocysteine, Its Determinants, and Associations with Disease
J. Nutr.,
June 1, 2006;
136(6):
1731S - 1740S.
[Abstract]
[Full Text]
[PDF]
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
G. Onder, B. W. J. H. Penninx, M. Cesari, S. Bandinelli, F. Lauretani, B. Bartali, A. M. Gori, M. Pahor, and L. Ferrucci
Anemia Is Associated With Depression in Older Adults: Results From the InCHIANTI Study
J. Gerontol. A Biol. Sci. Med. Sci.,
September 1, 2005;
60(9):
1168 - 1172.
[Abstract]
[Full Text]
[PDF]
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
H.-K. Kuo, F. A. Sorond, J.-H. Chen, A. Hashmi, W. P. Milberg, and L. A. Lipsitz
The Role of Homocysteine in Multisystem Age-Related Problems: A Systematic Review
J. Gerontol. A Biol. Sci. Med. Sci.,
September 1, 2005;
60(9):
1190 - 1201.
[Abstract]
[Full Text]
[PDF]
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
A. Coppen and C. Bolander-Gouaille
Treatment of depression: time to consider folic acid and vitamin B12
J Psychopharmacol,
January 1, 2005;
19(1):
59 - 65.
[Abstract]
[PDF]
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
T. Tolmunen, J. Hintikka, S. Voutilainen, A. Ruusunen, G. Alfthan, K. Nyyssonen, H. Viinamaki, G. A Kaplan, and J. T Salonen
Association between depressive symptoms and serum concentrations of homocysteine in men: a population study
Am. J. Clinical Nutrition,
December 1, 2004;
80(6):
1574 - 1578.
[Abstract]
[Full Text]
[PDF]
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
M. I Ramos, L. H Allen, M. N Haan, R. Green, and J. W Miller
Plasma folate concentrations are associated with depressive symptoms in elderly Latina women despite folic acid fortification
Am. J. Clinical Nutrition,
October 1, 2004;
80(4):
1024 - 1028.
[Abstract]
[Full Text]
[PDF]
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
H. Refsum, A. D. Smith, P. M. Ueland, E. Nexo, R. Clarke, J. McPartlin, C. Johnston, F. Engbaek, J. Schneede, C. McPartlin, et al.
Facts and Recommendations about Total Homocysteine Determinations: An Expert Opinion
Clin. Chem.,
January 1, 2004;
50(1):
3 - 32.
[Abstract]
[Full Text]
[PDF]
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
T. Tolmunen, S. Voutilainen, J. Hintikka, T. Rissanen, A. Tanskanen, H. Viinamaki, G. A. Kaplan, and J. T. Salonen
Dietary Folate and Depressive Symptoms Are Associated in Middle-Aged Finnish Men
J. Nutr.,
October 1, 2003;
133(10):
3233 - 3236.
[Abstract]
[Full Text]
[PDF]
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
I. Bjelland, G. S. Tell, S. E. Vollset, H. Refsum, and P. M. Ueland
Folate, Vitamin B12, Homocysteine, and the MTHFR 677C->T Polymorphism in Anxiety and Depression: The Hordaland Homocysteine Study
Arch Gen Psychiatry,
June 1, 2003;
60(6):
618 - 626.
[Abstract]
[Full Text]
[PDF]
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
M. A. Johnson, N. A Hawthorne, W. R Brackett, J. G Fischer, E. W Gunter, R. H Allen, and S. P Stabler
Hyperhomocysteinemia and vitamin B-12 deficiency in elderly using Title IIIc nutrition services
Am. J. Clinical Nutrition,
January 1, 2003;
77(1):
211 - 220.
[Abstract]
[Full Text]
[PDF]
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
H. Tiemeier, H. R. van Tuijl, A. Hofman, J. Meijer, A. J. Kiliaan, and M. M.B. Breteler
Vitamin B12, Folate, and Homocysteine in Depression: The Rotterdam Study
Am J Psychiatry,
December 1, 2002;
159(12):
2099 - 2101.
[Abstract]
[Full Text]
[PDF]
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
E. M. Whyte, B. H. Mulsant, M. A. Butters, M. Qayyum, A. Towers, R. A. Sweet, W. Klunk, S. Wisniewski, and S. T. DeKosky
Cognitive and Behavioral Correlates of Low Vitamin B12 Levels in Elderly Patients With Progressive Dementia
Am J Geriatr Psychiatry,
June 1, 2002;
10(3):
321 - 327.
[Abstract]
[Full Text]
[PDF]
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
S. J Duthie, L. J Whalley, A. R Collins, S. Leaper, K. Berger, and I. J Deary
Homocysteine, B vitamin status, and cognitive function in the elderly
Am. J. Clinical Nutrition,
May 1, 2002;
75(5):
908 - 913.
[Abstract]
[Full Text]
[PDF]
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Vitamin B12 Levels and Older Depressed Women
Journal Watch Psychiatry,
July 1, 2000;
2000(701):
6 - 6.
[Full Text]
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Is Vitamin B12 Deficiency Associated with Depression in Older Women?
Journal Watch Women's Health,
July 1, 2000;
2000(701):
16 - 16.
[Full Text]
|
|
|
Get information about faster international access.
Privacy Policy
Copyright © 2000
American Psychiatric Association.
All rights reserved.
Home
| Search
| Current Issue
| Past Issues
| Subscribe
| All APPI Journals
| Help
| Contact Us
|
