Relationship Between Depressive Symptoms, Anemia and Iron Status in Older Residents From a National Survey Population

Objective: To investigate the association between iron deficiency status and depressive symptoms in a national community sample of older people. Methods: Cross-sectional data were analyzed from 1875 participants 65 years and older who had participated in the 2005 Health Survey for England. Serum hemoglobin (Hb), ferritin, and transferrin receptor levels and depressive symptoms (Geriatric Depression Scale) had been measured. Covariates included age, sex, occupation, multivitamin intake, smoking status, body mass index, hypertension, heart disease, stroke, diabetes, and cancer. Results: Depressive symptoms were associated with anemia (H