Correlation between dietary score and depression in cancer patients: Data from the 2005–2018 National Health and Nutrition Examination Surveys

Abstract

AimTo investigate the correlation between dietary score and depression in patients with cancer.MethodsIn this cross-sectional study, data were collected from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) 2005–2018, a cross-sectional and nationally representative database, to compare 322 patients with depression to 2,868 with no depression. Mediterranean (MEDS) diet, Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension (DASH) diet, and the Healthy Eating Index 2015 (HEI-2015) score were calculated. Depression was assessed using the Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9). Weighted logistic regression models were used to explore the relationship between dietary scores and depression in patients with cancer. Subgroup analysis was performed by sleep disorders, sex, cancer type, number of tumors, and pain relief prescription treatment.ResultsThe final study sample included 3,190 adults, with 56.94% of them being women, representing 2,177 (86.51%) non-Hispanic white adults. After multivariable adjustment, the MEDS score was correlated with a reduced risk of depression in patients with cancer [odds ratio (OR): 0.90, 95% confidence interval (CI): 0.82–0.97, p = 0.010]. Moreover, the MEDS score was correlated with depression in cancer patients with sleep disorders (OR: 0.84, 95% CI: 0.76–0.93, p = 0.001), in female patients with cancer (OR: 0.83, 95% CI: 0.74–0.92, p < 0.001), particularly in female cancer reproductive system patients (OR: 0.69, 95% CI: 0.57–0.82, p < 0.001). MEDS score also showed a decreased risk of depression in patients with 1 cancer (OR: 0.90, 95% CI: 0.82–0.98, p = 0.019). MEDS score (OR: 0.86, 95% CI: 0.86–0.98, p = 0.024) and DASH (OR: 0.91, 95% CI: 0.84–0.98, p = 0.015) score were related to a decreased risk of depression in patients with cancer using pain relief prescription.ConclusionGood diet quality is significantly correlated with decreased risk of depression in patients with cancer. Aligning with the Dietary Guidelines, such as the MEDS diet, may be beneficial to the reduced risk of depression in patients with cancer.

Advances in Understanding the Interplay between Dietary Practices, Body Composition, and Sports Performance in Athletes

“…Breast cancer survivors report reduced cancer-related fatigue if their food is of higher quality after diagnosis [ 188 ]. In this regard, a new research study has shown links between nutrition, mental health, and cancer, and it found that cancer patients with Mediterranean diet patterns had a lower incidence of depression ( Figure 3 ) [ 189 ]. Nevertheless, in order to provide treatment recommendations based on these findings, more research is needed.…”

Association between depression and endometriosis using data from NHANES 2005–2006

“…According to the age distribution, the participants were divided into three groups: first (20–29 years), second (30–40 years), and third (41–54 years) tertiles. Marital status was defined as married, divorced, separated, or spinster 20 . The participants’ educational level was recorded as less than high school, high school, or college and above 21 .…”

Association between dietary anthocyanidins intake and depression among US adults: a cross-sectional study (NHANES, 2007–2010 and 2017–2018)

“…Another randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial focusing on adolescents who consumed a daily supplement of wild blueberry (containing approximately 253 mg anthocyanidins) found that compared to the placebo group, participants receiving anthocyanidin supplements had significantly reduced self-reported depressive symptoms (P = 0.02, 95%CI: (-6.71,-5.35)] [28]. Previous cross-sectional studies have also demonstrated that correlation between higher diet quality, as indicated by higher scores on the Healthy Eating Index HEI2015), and a lower risk of depression [29][30][31]. Our study further confirms this association [46.09 (0.66) vs. 50.85 (0.47), P<0.0001].…”