J Korean Acad Community Health Nurs.  2017 Sep;28(3):251-259. 10.12799/jkachn.2017.28.3.251.

The Effect of Vitamin D and Calcium on Cognitive Function and Depression in the Elderly Living in a City

• Lee YJ
• Kim YS

• KMID: 2392865
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.12799/jkachn.2017.28.3.251

Abstract

PURPOSE
This study aims to examine the influence of vitamin D and calcium on depression and cognitive function of the elderly living alone in a city.
METHODS
The participants were registered in eight senior centers in S city and they had lived alone. Data were collected between November 28, 2014 and March 7, 2015. A total of 155 people participated in data collection to measure the serum vitamin D, the serum calcium, depression, and cognitive function. The data were analyzed with t-test, ANOVA, Pearson's correlation and multiple regression analysis.
RESULTS
There were significant differences in depression according to gender and perceptions of health status. Depression correlated significantly with the serum calcium and perceptions of health status, and a stepwise regression analysis showed that the perceptions of health status were significant. There were significant differences in cognitive function according to education level and age. Cognitive function correlated significantly with the serum vitamin D and a stepwise regression analysis showed that education level and age were significant.
CONCLUSION
Consequently, elderly people with poor perceptions of their health status need a depressive intervention program and those with a higher age and lower level of education need a cognitive function intervention program.

Keyword

Vitamin D; Calcium; Aged; Depression; Cognitive function

MeSH Terms

Aged*
Calcium*
Cognition*
Data Collection
Depression*
Education
Humans
Senior Centers
Vitamin D*
Vitamins*
Calcium
Vitamin D
Vitamins