Association between uric acid and depressive symptoms in older adults: The Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey.

Background: Uric acid is known for its antioxidant capacity; however, whether uric acid is independently associated with depression in the older population remains controversial. The current study aimed to investigate the association between uric acid and depressive symptoms in older adults according to sex, using a large national sample population. Methods: Data from the 2016, 2018, and 2020 Korean National Health and Nutrition Examination Surveys were analyzed, and 5609 participants older than 60 years were included in this study. We defined a Patient Health Questionnaire‐9 score ≥5 as indicating the presence of depressive symptoms. Results: The prevalence of depressive symptoms was higher in women with lower uric acid levels than in those with higher uric acid levels. In women, the lower levels of uric acid were significantly associated with depressive symptoms in the multivariable logistic regression analysis (odds ratio, 1.36; 95% confidence interval, 1.10–1.68; p = 0.005). However, no significant association between uric acid levels and depressive symptoms was observed in men. Conclusion: The findings of this study suggest that uric acid is associated with depressive symptoms in older women, but not in men. Relatively lower serum uric acid levels in women compared to men and sex differences in oxidative stress may explain the significant association of uric acid levels and depressive symptoms in older women. Further research is needed on sex differences in the relationship between serum uric acid levels and depressive symptoms. Key points: Uric acid is known for its antioxidant capacity and may have neuroprotective effects.Low serum uric acid levels are associated with a higher prevalence of depressive symptoms in women aged over 60 years, but not in men.Women's lower total serum uric acid levels and greater susceptibility to oxidative stress compared to men may explain the sex differences. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]