The Prevalence of Depression, Anxiety, and Stress and Their Association with Vitamin D and Estrogen Levels in Postmenopausal Women in Semnan

Depression, stress, and anxiety are of the most prevalent psychological disorders among postmenopausal women. Inadequate evidence is available on the association between vitamin D and estrogen with depression, anxiety, and stress in this group.

The objective of this study was to determine the prevalence of depression, anxiety, and stress and their association with vitamin D and estrogen levels in postmenopausal women in Semnan.

The present analytical cross-sectional study was carried out using multistage sampling among women aged 45 to 70 years in Semnan (Iran) in summer 2016. Data collection tools were the demographic questionnaire, Spielberger State-Trait anxiety inventory, the Beck depression inventory, and the perceived stress scale. In addition, the levels of blood vitamin D and estrogen were measured.

In 120 postmenopausal women, depression levels were mild (22.5%), moderate (13.3%), and severe (1.7%); anxiety levels were mild (46.7%), moderate (50.8%), and severe (2.5%); additionally, 79.2% had lower stress and 20.8% had greater stress. Negative and significant correlations were found between vitamin D and depression (r = -0.1982, P = 0.031), anxiety (r = -0.3636, P < 0.001) and stress (r = -0.2884, P = 0.001). However, there was no correlation between estrogen and depression (r = -0.130, P = 0.159), anxiety (r = -0.105, P = 0.254), and stress (r = -0.104, P = 0.262). No significant correlation was seen between estrogen and vitamin D (r = -0.070, P = 0.450).

In postmenopausal women, no significant relationship was observed between estrogen and depression, anxiety, and perceived stress; however, there was a significant relationship between vitamin D and depression, anxiety, and stress.