The relationship between depression and vitamin D levels in the geriatric population

Aim: The aim of this study is to evaluate the frequency of depression and vitamin D deficiency and the relationship between them in the geriatric population.Material and Methods: A cross-sectional and prospective study was carried out with 92 patients. Elderly patients who applied to the Internal Medicine Polyclinic of Harran University Hospital between October 2020 and July 2021, agreed to answer the GDS questionnaire and whose vitamin D levels were checked during examinations were included in the study.Results: Of the 145 participants, 91 (66.8%) were women and 54 (37.2%) were men, with a mean age of 72.8 & PLUSMN; 6.2 years. According to the GDS results, the mean depression score of the participants was 6.3 & PLUSMN; 3.5. Depression was present in 64.1% (n= 93) of the participants, and 72.5% of these 93 depressed patients were women. When the relationship between depression status and socio-demographic variables was examined, it was found that depression was significantly more common in those with poor income and living in large families (p < 0.05).Discussion: According to the findings of this study, vitamin D deficiency can be regarded as a comorbidity of depression, and early detection and management of vitamin D deficiency and depression will improve both individual and public health.