Depression and bone mineral density in young adults: Results from NHANES III

Objective: The purpose of this cross-sectional population-based study was to assess the association of major depressive episode (MDE) and dysthymia with bone mineral density (BMD) in young adults. Methods: Data are from a nationally representative sample of 5,171 people aged 20 to 39 years from the Third National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey. Total proximal femoral BMD was measured using dual energy x-ray absorptiometry. MDE and dysthymia were measured using the Diagnostic Interview Schedule. Results: MDE was associated with lower BMD in multivariate models in men (mean BMD = 1.038 vs. 1.068 g/cm(2); odds ratio (OR) per 1 SD decline in BMD = 1.65, 95% confidence interval (CI) = 1.08-2.52; p = 0.02) but not in women (mean BMD = 0.982 vs. 0.979 g/cm(2); OR = 0.96, 95% CI = 0.71-1.30; p = .79). The same divergence by gender was seen for dysthymia. Conclusion: The relationship between BMD and MDE or dysthymia in young adults varies by gender.