Vitamin D status is associated with anxiety levels in postmenopausal women evaluated for osteoporosis

Vitamin D status has been previously associated with a wide range of acute and chronic diseases. The nervous system express vitamin D receptors and thus vitamin D may be involved in mental health. Poor data exist about the correlation between vitamin D and anxiety levels. Our aim was to investigate the association of vitamin D status with anxiety severity. A group of 177 postmenopausal women (mean age 65.5±8.22 yr.) referring to an outpatients clinic for the prevention of osteoporosis were evaluated. Severity of perceived anxiety symptoms was measured by the Hamilton Anxiety rating scale (HAMA). Depression levels were also evaluated using the Beck Depression Inventory-second edition scale (BDI-II). 25(OH)D serum levels, indicative of vitamin D status, were detected by high-performance liquid chromatography. 25(OH)D levels were significantly related HAMA-score (r=-0.15, p=0.04); particularly a deep association was observed between 25(OH)D levels and somatic symptoms (r=-0.195, p=0.009). HAMA score was associated with BDI-II score (r=0.487, p=<0.001); HAMA psychic symptom score was also related with age and time since menopause (r=0.149, p=0.039 and r=0.222, p=0.003, respectively). At a multiple regression analysis, after correcting for age and depression levels, 25(OH)D was predictive of HAMA score (β=-0,05961, p= 0.02, SE=-2.206), but the strength of association was lost further correcting for time since menopause. In conclusion, in a setting of postmenopausal women, we observed a significant association between anxiety levels and serum 25(OH)D concentrations irrespective of age and depression levels.