Decreased Levels of Vitamin D in Bipolar Patients

Abstract

Recently, vitamin D is considered a pleiotropic hormone, and as such, it has also become a topic of renewed interest in neuropsychiatry for its proposed role in the aetiology and pathophysiology of different psychiatric conditions, including mood disorders (MDs). This seems particularly crucial while considering the relatively high and often neglected prevalence of hypovitaminosis D in the general population and in specific groups, such as patients suffering from the most common type of MDs, which are major depression (MDD) and bipolar disorders (BDs). Therefore, in view of the controversial literature and findings on this topic and its potential therapeutic implications, the present study aimed at evaluating vitamin D levels in the plasma of a sample of inpatients fulfilling the DSM-5 criteria for mood episodes within BDs. The clinical picture was assessed by means of specific rating scales. The results showed that the vitamin D levels (mean ± SD, nM/L) of the bipolar patients of our sample were significantly lower (14.58 ± 11.27 nmol/L) than the normative values (>30 nmol/L). Eleven patients had sufficient values and only 4 had optimal, while 19 showed insufficient, 18 critical, and 17 severely critical levels. No differences emerged according to different socio-demographic or clinical features. In our opinion, the present findings strengthen previous research highlighting decreased vitamin D levels in bipolar patients and support the role of this pleiotropic hormone in BDs. Nevertheless, further studies should follow to corroborate the data of this preliminary study and to address the potential benefits of vitamin D supplementation in the treatment of MDs.

Exploring the Association between Serum B Vitamins, Homocysteine and Mental Disorders: Insights from Mendelian Randomization

“…Conversely, Hadis Mozaffari et al [49] revealed a positive association between dietary vitamin B12 intake and depression and psychological distress, albeit not anxiety, in a cross-sectional study conducted among Iranian women. Regarding bipolar disorder, Paola Mangiapane et al [50] identified significantly lower vitamin B12 levels in bipolar patients. However, a study of elderly psychiatric inpatients found no significant difference in serum B12 levels between cognitively impaired and non-impaired patients, including those with bipolar disorder [51].…”

Effectiveness of Vitamin D on Neurological and Mental Disorders

“…Therefore, it is possible that vitamin D might have a protective role in bipolar disorder by helping to reduce inflammation. Supporting the proposed protective role of vitamin D, a recent study on patients with bipolar disorder found that they exhibited significantly reduced levels of vitamin D [ 55 ]. Contrary to the previous findings, a recent study did not find significant differences between bipolar disorder patients and healthy controls in the serum concentrations of 25-hydroxyvitamin D [25(OH)D], 24,25-dihydroxyvitamin D [24,25(OH)2D], or the vitamin D metabolic ratio (VMR).…”

Serum Vitamin D, Mania and Depression-Related Scores: A Comparison among Mixed Bipolar, Mania, and Healthy Subjects

“…The study results showed that serum levels of vitamin D in patients were considerably lower compared to the normal value (> 30 nmol/L). In Marazziti et al study, there was no control group to examine along with patients with bipolar disorders ( 1 ). There is a lot of evidence on vitamin D deficiency in mood disorders, especially in depression.…”

“…The symptoms of mania include hyperactivity , pressure of speech , flight of ideas , as well as decreased desire and need for sleep. These symptoms may be obscured in severe manic episodes by other symptoms and signs of psychosis such as delusions, catatonia , fragmentation of behavior, and hallucinations ( 1 ). In a group of bipolar disorder named “acute-phase mania,” manic episodes can last days to months and return to a normal situation when symptoms subside.…”