Evaluating the association of depressive symptoms on serum folate and erythrocyte folate levels based on the 2017–2020 NHANES database

ObjectiveTo improve further the management of the nutritional status and dietary habits of depressed patients.MethodsThis study investigated the effect of different severity states of depressive symptoms on serum and erythrocyte folate levels using the Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) database...

Full description

Saved in:
Bibliographic Details
Main Authors: Yunhong Yang, Huaqian Qi, Jiahao Zhang, Jie Jia, Yunsong Yang, Hong Zhao
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Frontiers Media S.A. 2025-02-01
Series:Frontiers in Nutrition
Subjects:
Online Access:https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fnut.2025.1505700/full
Tags: Add Tag
No Tags, Be the first to tag this record!
_version_ 1823861146145259520
author Yunhong Yang
Huaqian Qi
Jiahao Zhang
Jie Jia
Yunsong Yang
Hong Zhao
author_facet Yunhong Yang
Huaqian Qi
Jiahao Zhang
Jie Jia
Yunsong Yang
Hong Zhao
author_sort Yunhong Yang
collection DOAJ
description ObjectiveTo improve further the management of the nutritional status and dietary habits of depressed patients.MethodsThis study investigated the effect of different severity states of depressive symptoms on serum and erythrocyte folate levels using the Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) database from 2017 to 2020. We comprised a sample of 4,872 cases from NHANES database. We developed 3 linear regression models to assess the effect of depressive symptoms on erythrocyte folate and serum folate by collating and analyzing the data. The relationship between depression severity and erythrocyte folate as well as serum folate was also mutually validated by the results of multiple logistic regression. Finally, we made restricted cubic spline plots using the glm function of R.ResultsDepression remained negatively correlated with serum folate levels with a OR value of −0.02, 95% CI of −0.05 ~ −0.00. Moderate depression was negatively correlated with folate, with a OR value of −0.03, 95% CI of −0.05 ~ −0.00. When exploring the association between different degrees of depressive symptoms and erythrocyte folate, it was unexpectedly found that major depression was negatively associated with erythrocyte folate with a OR value of −0.18, 95% CI of −0.31 ~ −0.04 after adjusting for all covariates.ConclusionDepression is associated with folate levels. The risk of serum folate insufficiency or erythrocyte folate insufficiency is higher after a positive depression. For different degrees of depressive symptoms, serum folate levels were significantly lower than normal in patients with moderate depression, while erythrocyte folate levels were lower than normal in patients with major depression. Therefore, attention should be paid to the dietary habits and nutritional status of patients with depression or depressive symptoms when they are undergoing long-term antidepressant treatment. Folic acid supplementation is recommended for patients with moderate or severe depression or for depressed patients who have developed unhealthy eating habits.
format Article
id doaj-art-e2e6a4b356fb4696b00b528378a2a81f
institution Kabale University
issn 2296-861X
language English
publishDate 2025-02-01
publisher Frontiers Media S.A.
record_format Article
series Frontiers in Nutrition
spelling doaj-art-e2e6a4b356fb4696b00b528378a2a81f2025-02-10T05:16:10ZengFrontiers Media S.A.Frontiers in Nutrition2296-861X2025-02-011210.3389/fnut.2025.15057001505700Evaluating the association of depressive symptoms on serum folate and erythrocyte folate levels based on the 2017–2020 NHANES databaseYunhong Yang0Huaqian Qi1Jiahao Zhang2Jie Jia3Yunsong Yang4Hong Zhao5Department of Acupuncture and Moxibustion, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shenzhen Hospital, Shenzhen, ChinaGuangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou, ChinaGuangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou, ChinaThe First Affiliated Hospital, Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou, ChinaTianjin University of Science and Technology, Tianjin, ChinaDepartment of Acupuncture and Moxibustion, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shenzhen Hospital, Shenzhen, ChinaObjectiveTo improve further the management of the nutritional status and dietary habits of depressed patients.MethodsThis study investigated the effect of different severity states of depressive symptoms on serum and erythrocyte folate levels using the Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) database from 2017 to 2020. We comprised a sample of 4,872 cases from NHANES database. We developed 3 linear regression models to assess the effect of depressive symptoms on erythrocyte folate and serum folate by collating and analyzing the data. The relationship between depression severity and erythrocyte folate as well as serum folate was also mutually validated by the results of multiple logistic regression. Finally, we made restricted cubic spline plots using the glm function of R.ResultsDepression remained negatively correlated with serum folate levels with a OR value of −0.02, 95% CI of −0.05 ~ −0.00. Moderate depression was negatively correlated with folate, with a OR value of −0.03, 95% CI of −0.05 ~ −0.00. When exploring the association between different degrees of depressive symptoms and erythrocyte folate, it was unexpectedly found that major depression was negatively associated with erythrocyte folate with a OR value of −0.18, 95% CI of −0.31 ~ −0.04 after adjusting for all covariates.ConclusionDepression is associated with folate levels. The risk of serum folate insufficiency or erythrocyte folate insufficiency is higher after a positive depression. For different degrees of depressive symptoms, serum folate levels were significantly lower than normal in patients with moderate depression, while erythrocyte folate levels were lower than normal in patients with major depression. Therefore, attention should be paid to the dietary habits and nutritional status of patients with depression or depressive symptoms when they are undergoing long-term antidepressant treatment. Folic acid supplementation is recommended for patients with moderate or severe depression or for depressed patients who have developed unhealthy eating habits.https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fnut.2025.1505700/fulldepressive symptomsserum folateerythrocyte folateNHANES databaseassociation
spellingShingle Yunhong Yang
Huaqian Qi
Jiahao Zhang
Jie Jia
Yunsong Yang
Hong Zhao
Evaluating the association of depressive symptoms on serum folate and erythrocyte folate levels based on the 2017–2020 NHANES database
Frontiers in Nutrition
depressive symptoms
serum folate
erythrocyte folate
NHANES database
association
title Evaluating the association of depressive symptoms on serum folate and erythrocyte folate levels based on the 2017–2020 NHANES database
title_full Evaluating the association of depressive symptoms on serum folate and erythrocyte folate levels based on the 2017–2020 NHANES database
title_fullStr Evaluating the association of depressive symptoms on serum folate and erythrocyte folate levels based on the 2017–2020 NHANES database
title_full_unstemmed Evaluating the association of depressive symptoms on serum folate and erythrocyte folate levels based on the 2017–2020 NHANES database
title_short Evaluating the association of depressive symptoms on serum folate and erythrocyte folate levels based on the 2017–2020 NHANES database
title_sort evaluating the association of depressive symptoms on serum folate and erythrocyte folate levels based on the 2017 2020 nhanes database
topic depressive symptoms
serum folate
erythrocyte folate
NHANES database
association
url https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fnut.2025.1505700/full
work_keys_str_mv AT yunhongyang evaluatingtheassociationofdepressivesymptomsonserumfolateanderythrocytefolatelevelsbasedonthe20172020nhanesdatabase
AT huaqianqi evaluatingtheassociationofdepressivesymptomsonserumfolateanderythrocytefolatelevelsbasedonthe20172020nhanesdatabase
AT jiahaozhang evaluatingtheassociationofdepressivesymptomsonserumfolateanderythrocytefolatelevelsbasedonthe20172020nhanesdatabase
AT jiejia evaluatingtheassociationofdepressivesymptomsonserumfolateanderythrocytefolatelevelsbasedonthe20172020nhanesdatabase
AT yunsongyang evaluatingtheassociationofdepressivesymptomsonserumfolateanderythrocytefolatelevelsbasedonthe20172020nhanesdatabase
AT hongzhao evaluatingtheassociationofdepressivesymptomsonserumfolateanderythrocytefolatelevelsbasedonthe20172020nhanesdatabase