Vitamin D deficiency is common in psychogeriatric patients, independent of diagnosis

Abstract

BackgroundPrevious studies have found an association between psychiatric disorders and vitamin D deficiency, but most studies have focused on depression. This study aimed to establish the prevalence of vitamin D deficiency in elderly patients with a wider range of psychiatric diagnoses.MethodThe study included elderly patients (>64 years) referred to a psychiatric hospital in Northern Norway and a control group from a population survey in the same area. An assessment of psychiatric and cognitive symptoms and diagnoses was conducted using the Montgomery and Aasberg Depression Rating Scale, the Cornell Scale for Depression in Dementia, the Mini Mental State Examination, the Clockdrawing Test, and the Mini International Neuropsychiatric Interview (MINI+), as well as clinical interviews and a review of medical records. The patients’ mean level of 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25(OH)D) and the prevalence of vitamin D deficiency were compared with those of a control group, and a comparison of vitamin D deficiency across different diagnostic groups was also made. Vitamin D deficiency was defined as 25(OH)D <50 nmol/L (<20 ng/ml).ResultsThe mean levels of 25(OH)D in the patient group (n = 95) and the control group (n = 104) were 40.5 nmol/L and 65.9 nmol/L (p < 0.001), respectively. A high prevalence of vitamin D deficiency was found in the patient group compared with the control group (71.6% and 20.0%, respectively; p < 0.001). After adjusting for age, gender, season, body mass index, and smoking, vitamin D deficiency was still associated with patient status (OR: 12.95, CI (95%): 6.03-27.83, p < 0.001). No significant differences in the prevalence of vitamin D deficiency were found between patients with different categories of psychiatric diagnoses, such as depression, bipolar disorders, psychosis, and dementia.ConclusionVitamin D deficiency is very common among psychogeriatric patients, independent of diagnostic category. Even though the role of vitamin D in psychiatric disorders is still not clear, we suggest screening for vitamin D deficiency in this patient group due to the importance of vitamin D for overall health.

Correlates of vitamin D in psychotic disorders: A comprehensive systematic review

“…However, there is evidence to suggest that vitamin D among people with psychosis is correlated with the season of blood sampling (Belzeaux et al, 2015;Berg et al, 2010;Crews et al, 2013;Grønli et al, 2014;Lally et al, 2016;Zhu et al, 2015) and parathyroid hormone levels (Bergemann et al, 2008;Rey-Sánchez et al, 2009;Schneider et al, 2000), the latter being negatively correlated to vitamin D. What this review highlights are a multitude of variables that have been found to not significantly correlate with vitamin D within the patient population including but not limited to: BMI, age, gender, smoking, duration of illness and GAF score.…”

“…The season of blood sampling was found across 4 included studies to be associated with vitamin D levels in psychotic disorders (Berg et al, 2010;Grønli et al, 2014;Lally et al, 2016;Zhu et al, 2015). This is perhaps not surprising since UVB irradiation intensity varies over the year and it is known that in healthy populations vitamin D levels change with UVB intensity.…”

Pathophysiology of major depressive disorder: mechanisms involved in etiology are not associated with clinical progression

“…It might be that aspects of disease that were omitted in the staging model, such as complications, functional outcome and comorbidity, are of more importance for clinical MDD progression. Indeed some studies showed an association between the pathophysiological dysregulations and suicidal ideation (inflammation 53 and HPA 54 ) and comorbidity (inflammation, 55 HPA 56 and vitamin D 57 ). Finally, we like to acknowledge that different staging models for MDD exist, 58 besides the one we have chosen to use.…”

Reduced sinonasal levels of 1α‐hydroxylase are associated with worse quality of life in chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyps

“…Given the broad range of topics covered by the SNOT‐22 questionnaire, as well as the widespread effects of vitamin D, in some ways it is not surprising that a relationship exists between them. For example, numerous reports have shown vitamin D deficiency is associated with poor sleep quality, impaired cognition, and depression . It is also possible that vitamin D may play a role in mucus production in CRS.…”