Context: Depression and anxiety are common in women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). An association between vitamin D deficiency and mood disorders or inflammation has been previously reported in the general population.
Objective: To investigate the association between 25 hydroxy-Vitamin D (25OHVD) status, anxiety and depression and inflammation in women with (n=50) and without (n=23) PCOS.
Design: Cross-sectional study conducted from 2008-2010 in the general community.
Participants: Overweight or obese (body mass index > 25 kg/m2) premenopausal (aged 18-45 years) women with (n=50) and without (n=23) PCOS. Participants were recruited through community advertisement.
Main outcome measures: Primary outcome measures were 25OHVD status, self-reported mood (validated Hospital Anxiety and Depression questionnaire) and inflammation (highly sensitive C-reactive protein (CRP)).
Results: Vitamin D deficiency (25OHVD < 50 nmol/L) was observed in 46% of women with PCOS and 39% of women without PCOS (p=0.311). Mean 25OHVD was not significantly different in women with and without PCOS (50.4±22.2 versus 51.6±19.0 nmol/L p=0.828). For all women combined, 25OHVD was the only significant independent predictor of depression (β=-0.063±0.021, p=0.005) and CRP (β=-0.041±0.015, p=0.010) but not anxiety.
Conclusions:Vitamin D deficiency is common in women with and without PCOS. Vitamin D is independently associated with depression and CRP in overweight and obese women with and without PCOS. Further investigation to clarify the interrelationship between vitamin D, inflammation and depression is required to identify optimal prevention and treatment strategies for psychological and metabolic dysfunction in PCOS.