Associations of α-carotenoid and β-carotenoid with depressive symptoms in late midlife women

Abstract

BackgroundTo study the association of α-carotenoid and β-carotenoid intakes from diet with depressive symptoms. MethodsCross-sectional study used data from the Study of Women's Health Across the Nation (SWAN). Linear regression, logistic regression and restricted cubic spline models were performed to examine the association α-carotenoid and β-carotenoid intakes with depression. ResultsA total of 2762 women aged 42–52 years were included in the present study. α-carotenoid and β-carotenoid intakes were inversely associated with CES-D scores in unadjusted and age-, race/ethnicity-, total family income- and sex hormone binding globulin-adjusted linear regression model. The multivariate adjusted regression coefficient with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) of CES-D score were −2.933 (−4.242, −1.623) and −0.153 (−0.282, −0.024) for α-carotenoid and β-carotenoid intakes. α-carotenoid and β-carotenoid intakes were inversely associated with high CES-D score (≥16) in unadjusted and age-, race/ethnicity-, total family income- and sex hormone binding globulin-adjusted logistic regression model. The multivariate adjusted Odds ratios (ORs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) of high CES-D score (≥16) were 0.718 (0.553–0.933) and 0.742 (0.571–0.964) for the highest versus lowest quartile of α-carotenoid and β-carotenoid intakes, respectively. However, association was not statistically significant between α-carotene and β-carotene intakes and society/work damage due to emotion problem. LimitationsThis was a cross-sectional study, limiting causal inferences. Assessment of CES-D was based on a self-report scale. Conclusionα-carotenoid and β-carotenoid intakes may be inversely associated with depressive symptoms in late midlife women.