Relationship between depression and lung function in the general population in Korea: a retrospective cross-sectional study

BACKGROUND: Lung function and depression are closely related to many chronic lung diseases. However, few studies have evaluated this association in the general population. In this study, we evaluated the relationship between lung function and depression in the general population in Korea. PARTICIPANTS AND METHODS: Data from the Ansung–Ansan cohort, a community-based cohort in Korea, were used to analyze the relationships between depression and lung function parameters. A total of 3,321 men and women aged 40–69 years were enrolled. Spirometry data included the forced expiratory volume in 1 second (FEV(1)), forced vital capacity (FVC), and the FEV(1)/FVC ratio. Depression was defined as a score of ≥16 by the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI). A propensity score analysis was conducted with the aim of reducing the bias of the retrospective study. RESULTS: The overall prevalence of depression in the study population was 13.1% (434/3,321 participants). Depression was significantly more prevalent in women than in men (P<0.001) and in never smokers than in ever smokers (P<0.001). The group with depression was older (P<0.001) and had a lower average body mass index (BMI) (P=0.015) than the group without depression. The FEV(1) (P<0.001), FVC (P<0.001), and FEV(1)/FVC ratio (P=0.022) were significantly lower in the group with depression than in the group without depression. After adjusting for age, sex, BMI, and smoking status, the mean FEV(1) was lower in the group with a high BDI score than in the group with a low BDI score (P=0.044). Using multiple linear regression analysis and adjusting for covariates, no statistically significant relationship between lung function and the BDI score was found. However, the BDI score and FEV(1) were inversely related in subjects older than 50 years (P=0.023). CONCLUSION: Depression is associated with decreased lung function in the general population, especially in adults older than 50 years.