Vitamin B intake and post-stroke depression: Results from the US national health and nutrition examination surveys (NHANES) 2007-2018

ObjectivePost-stroke depression (PSD) is the most frequent psychiatric disorder after stroke, occurring in about 30% of stroke survivors. Little is known about the influence of dietary B-vitamin intake on PSD risk. This analysis examined the relationship between dietary B-vitamin intake and depression among post-stroke patients.MethodsA total of 1080 patients aged ≥20 years who had suffered a stroke participating in the 2007-2018 National Health and Nutritional Examination Surveys (NHANES) were included in this cross-sectional study. Depressive symptoms were evaluated using the 9-item Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9). The association between dietary B vitamins intake and PSD was examined using logistic regression analysis.ResultsAfter controlling for potential confounders (sex, age, race, BMI, family PIR, education level, marital status, history of disease, hypertension, hypercholesterolemia, diabetes, smoking, alcohol use and energy), significant inverse associations were found between dietary vitamin B1 (<i>P</i> = 0.002) and B6 (<i>P</i> = 0.002) intake and PHQ-9 scores. These association were significantly modified by unhealthy lifestyle factors and inflammation-related markers.ConclusionsDietary vitamin B1 and B6 intake were inversely associated with PSD risk. The association between vitamin B1 or B6 and PSD was modified by unhealthy lifestyle factors and inflammation-related indicators. Future prospective studies are needed to determine the causal relationship between higher dietary vitamin B1 and B6 intake and lower risk of PSD.