RELAÇÃO ENTRE VITAMINA D E DEPRESSÃO EM IDOSOS: UMA REVISÃO NARRATIVA
RELAÇÃO ENTRE VITAMINA D E DEPRESSÃO EM IDOSOS: UMA REVISÃO NARRATIVA
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.22533/at.ed.4442507104
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Palavras-chave: Depressão; Vitamina D; Idosos
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Keywords: Depression; Vitamin D; Elderly.
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Abstract: INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVE: Depression is the most common psychiatric disorder associated with suicide risk, with the elderly population having the highest rate of psychiatric disorders related to this condition. Recent studies have shown that vitamin D may play an important role in the prevention and treatment of depression in the elderly. The objective of the study was to analyse evidence on the relationship between vitamin D concentrations and depression in the elderly. METHODS: This is a narrative review based on the literature, with a qualitative approach, of a basic nature and with a descriptive and explanatory objective. The search for articles was conducted in September 2025 in the Scientific Electronic Library Online (SciELO), PubMed, and Latin American and Caribbean Health Sciences Literature (LILACS) databases. The following descriptors were used: “Depression” AND “Vitamin D” AND “Elderly”, as well as their English equivalents. Studies published between 2017 and 2025 were selected. Articles in which only the abstract was available, dissertations and theses were excluded. In total, 756 articles were identified in the literature from the search using the aforementioned descriptors and, based on the eligibility criteria, 12 studies remained to support this review. RESULTS AND DISCUSSION: The studies analysed indicate a possible correlation between hypovitaminosis D and depression in the elderly, mainly due to the fact that vitamin D is associated with the modulation of intracellular calcium and acts in brain regions linked to depression. It has also been observed that, at the serum level, the elderly population with depression often has low concentrations of vitamin D in the bloodstream, which may be associated with several factors, including less sun exposure, changes in intestinal absorption, and medication use. CONCLUSION: Vitamin D plays an important role in mood regulation and neuronal health, especially by modulating intracellular calcium and acting on brain regions linked to depression. Despite promising results with supplementation, the findings are still inconclusive, highlighting the need for further studies and strategies combined with diet, sun exposure, and lifestyle changes.
- Sarah Ângelo Diniz Melo
- Geovanna Silva Rocha
- Gabryelle de Araújo Melo
- Emyle Horrana Serafim de Oliveira
- Bianca Mickaela Santos Chaves
- Anderson Luís dos Santos Moreira
- Paulo César Rodrigues Damacena
- Talline Nascimento de Brito
- Andréia Ribeiro do Nascimento
- Laís Cristina Chaves dos Santos
- Thayanne Gabryelle Visgueira de Sousa