| Title: | Dietary inflammatory potential and depression in middle-aged and older adults: A population-based study of associations and comorbid disease network |
| Journal: | Journal of Affective Disorders |
| Published: | 22 Dec 2025 |
| Pubmed: | https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/41443307/ |
| DOI: | https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jad.2025.120987 |
Publication 17067
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Abstract
BACKGROUND: The relationship between dietary inflammatory potential and depression in middle-aged and older populations has not been fully elucidated. This study aimed to examine this association and its potential mechanisms.</p>
METHODS: Data from 194,246 UK Biobank participants without depression at baseline were analyzed. The Dietary Inflammatory Index (DII) was used to classify diets as anti-inflammatory (DII < 0) or pro-inflammatory (DII ≥ 0). During a median follow-up time of 11.52 years, 5937 participants developed depression. Cox proportional-hazards models were used to estimate the association in terms of hazard ratio (HR) and 95 % confidence interval (CI). Mediation analyses were conducted to examine the role of inflammation-related indicators and chronic diseases, while disease correlation network analysis was used to explore the relationships between chronic diseases and depression.</p>
RESULTS: A pro-inflammatory diet was associated with an increased depression risk (hazard ratio [HR] = 1.099, 95 % CI: 1.043-1.158). Stratified analyses showed stronger associations in females, participants younger than 60 years at baseline, non-smokers, current smokers, non-drinkers, current drinkers, and those with moderate or high levels of physical activity. Mediation analysis revealed that the neutrophil to high-density lipoprotein cholesterol ratio and obesity mediated 13.69 % and 5.94 % of the relationship, respectively. Disease network analysis highlighted the central role of diabetes and hypertension, with obesity most strongly linked to depression.</p>
CONCLUSION: This study suggests that adopting an anti-inflammatory diet may help prevent depression in middle-aged and older adults. Inflammation-related indicators and chronic disease partially mediated the association between dietary inflammatory potential and depression.</p>
7 Authors
- Yucheng Yang
- Junhan Zhang
- Xiaona Na
- Yuefeng Tan
- Chuhan Wu
- Xiaojin Shi
- Ai Zhao
1 Application
| Application ID | Title |
|---|---|
| 91486 | Social, lifestyle, and biological risk factors of age-related diseases and mortality |
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