Key result
Higher serum uric acid levels were significantly associated with a reduced risk of depression (OR 0.76) compared to the lowest quartile among U.S. adults.
Why the study?
Previous studies suggested serum uric acid might influence depression via oxidative stress pathways, but yielded inconclusive results.
Does higher serum uric acid level reduce the prevalence of depression in U.S. adults?
Cross-Sectional (n=23,059)
Does higher serum uric acid level reduce the prevalence of depression in U.S. adults?
Odds Ratio: 0.76 (95% CI 0.67–0.86)
Absolute Event Rate: 13.9% vs 16.2%
p-value: p=<0.001
Higher serum uric acid levels are inversely associated with depression among U.S. adults, with more pronounced effects in older individuals and those with a history of cardiovascular disease.
Associated with lower depression risk in U.S. adults; hypothesis-generating and should not yet change practice.
Background: Previous studies have suggested that serum uric acid (UA) may influence depression through oxidative stress pathways, but with inconclusive results. This study aimed to investigate the association between serum UA levels and depression, as well as potential variations across demographic subgroups in the U.S. adult population. Methods: A cross-sectional analysis of 23,059 participants from NHANES (2013-2018) was conducted. Serum UA levels were classified into quartiles, and depression was measured using the Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9), with a score ≥ 10 indicating depression. Weighted logistic regression models were used to analyze the association between UA levels and depression, adjusting for demographic and clinical covariates. Subgroup analyses were performed to assess variations by sex, age, race/ethnicity, and other health-related factors. Results: < 0.001 for quartile 4). Subgroup analyses indicated significant interactions by age (p for interaction = 0.051), race/ethnicity (p for interaction = 0.027), and history of cardiovascular disease (p for interaction = 0.005), with more pronounced inverse associations observed among older adults, other races and participants with cardiovascular disease. Conclusion: Higher serum UA levels were inversely associated with depression among U.S. adults, especially among races, participants with cardiovascular disease and older age. Further research is needed to confirm these findings and investigate potential underlying mechanisms.
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He et al. (2025) conducted a cross-sectional in Depression (n=23,059). Serum uric acid vs. Lowest quartile of serum uric acid was evaluated on Depression (PHQ-9 score ≥ 10) (OR 0.76, 95% CI 0.67, 0.86, p=<0.001). Higher serum uric acid levels were significantly associated with a reduced risk of depression (OR 0.76) compared to the lowest quartile among U.S. adults.
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