AUTHOR=Hou Shuchen , Xu Fengquan , Zong Guanhua , Zheng Yu , Shi Lei , Zhai Liangfan 

TITLE=Association between depression and osteoporosis in a population of cancer survivors: results from the NHANES 2005–2020

JOURNAL=Frontiers in Medicine

VOLUME=Volume 12 - 2025

YEAR=2025

URL=https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/medicine/articles/10.3389/fmed.2025.1515435

DOI=10.3389/fmed.2025.1515435

ISSN=2296-858X

ABSTRACT=IntroductionDepressive symptoms and the severity of osteoporosis in cancer survivors significantly affect the patient’s quality of life. The correlation between osteoporosis and depressive symptoms in this population has not been examined in prior studies. This cross-sectional study utilized National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey data from 2005 to 2020 to explore the correlation between osteoporosis and depressive symptoms in cancer patients.MethodWe utilized confounder-adjusted multivariate logistic regression models to examine the relationship between osteoporosis and depressive symptoms. Subgroup and interaction analyses were performed according to age and gender to detect potential differences among various demographic groups. Furthermore, smoothing curve fitting and subgroup smoothing curve fitting were employed to evaluate the nonlinear association between bone mineral density and depressive symptom scores.ResultsTwo thousand one hundred and fifty-five adult cancer patients satisfied the inclusion and exclusion criteria and were recruited in the research. Statistical analysis demonstrated a significant negative correlation between depressive symptoms and the risk of developing osteoporosis in cancer patients after controlling for multiple variables [OR 0.57, 95% CI (0.46–0.70), p < 0.01]. Subgroup analyses revealed more pronounced associations in women [OR 0.18, 95% CI (0.12–0.27), p < 0.01] and older adults [OR 0.09, 95% CI (0.06–0.13), p < 0.01]. Furthermore, smooth curve fitting results displayed a W-shaped curve between bone mineral density and depressive symptom scores. This W-shaped curve association was especially prominent among older patients in subgroup analyses.DiscussionThis study demonstrates a negative correlation between depressive symptoms and the incidence of osteoporosis in cancer survivors, notably evident among the elderly and female populations. Our research addresses the relationship between depressed symptoms and osteoporosis in cancer survivors, revealing a negative association that may alleviate psychological distress and enhance the quality of life in this population.ConclusionA negative correlation between depressive symptoms and osteoporosis in cancer patients, particularly pronounced in the elderly and female survivors. Additionally, a W-shaped relationship was observed between bone mineral density and depression scores, with greater significance in the older group.