Author ORCID Identifier
Date Available
4-23-2025
Year of Publication
2025
Document Type
Graduate Capstone Project
Degree Name
Master of Public Health (M.P.H.)
College
Public Health
Department/School/Program
Public Health
Faculty
Dr. Steven Browning
Committee Member
Dr. Mary Lacy
Faculty
Dr. Angela Carman
Abstract
Introduction: Osteoporosis and depression are two public health problems that are increasing in prevalence. Previous studies have found a positive association between the two variables in women and men and women together, but there is a gap when looking at men. Therefore, it was important to investigate the odds of depression in men, women, and men and women together to make comparisons by sex.
Methods: 1,602 participants aged 65 and older were included in the study from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) 2017 – March 2020 Pre-Pandemic dataset. One unadjusted and seven adjusted models were created for male and female participants and one unadjusted and eight adjusted models were created for all participants to assess the association between osteoporosis and depression and the association between the two variables when confounding variables were present.
Results: Unadjusted odds ratios for depression were 1.03 (0.44, 2.38), 1.90 (1.34, 2.68), and 2.01 (1.51, 2.69) for male, female, and all participants respectively. Adjusted odds ratios for depression were 1.18 (0.50, 2.80), 1.81 (1.26, 2.61), and 1.69 (1.22, 2.35) for male, female, and all participants respectively when adjusting for all identified confounding variables.
Discussion: The positive association found between osteoporosis and depression in male, female, and all participants show the odds of depression increase when an individual is exposed to osteoporosis. Women with osteoporosis have almost double the odds of depression when compared to men with osteoporosis. Secondary and tertiary prevention strategies like mental health screening and services may decrease the severity of depression in women with osteoporosis.
Recommended Citation
Taylor, Mason, "Bones and Brains: The Association Between Osteoporosis and Depression" (2025). Theses and Dissertations--Public Health (M.P.H. & Dr.P.H.). 459.
https://uknowledge.uky.edu/cph_etds/459
