The Relationship Between Vitamin D Levels and the Severity of Anxiety and Depression in Patients Under Methadone Maintenance Treatment

Abstract

Background: Hypovitaminosis D, low bone mineral density, non-specific musculoskeletal pain, increased risk of fracture, and periodontal disease were reported in most subjects recruited from the Methadone Maintenance Treatment (MMT) program. This study aimed to determine the relationship between vitamin D levels and the severity of anxiety and depression in patients under MMT. Methods: In a cross-sectional study, serum vitamin D levels were measured among 500 patients under MMT from Kashan Province, Iran. Correlation tests were used to assess the association of vitamin D levels with the severity of anxiety and depression in the explored patients. Results: We found that serum vitamin D levels were positively correlated with the scores of the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI) (r=0.107, P=0.017) and the Beck Anxiety Inventory (BAI) (r=0.129, P=0.004). Additionally, there was a negative correlation between serum vitamin D levels, MMT dosage (r=-0.011, P=0.8), and the duration of MMT (r=-0.017, P=0.7). Conclusion: Our findings demonstrated that serum vitamin D levels were independently correlated with the BDI and BAI scores. Further studies are required to confirm our findings.

Effect of Eight Weeks of Vitamin D Consumption and Exercise in Water on Liver Enzymes and Mental Health of Women with Type 2 Diabetes

“…Low levels of this vitamin can also cause neuropsychiatric disorders such as depression, schizophrenia, Alzheimer's disease, and autism. In addition, epidemiological and clinical studies have demonstrated that individuals with low vitamin D levels are more vulnerable to depression (6,7). In the past, vitamin D was known as an anti-rickets agent or the sunshine vitamin.…”