Is this D vitamin to worry about? Vitamin D insufficiency in an inpatient sample.
OBJECTIVE
The aim of the present study was to investigate the relationship between reduced serum vitamin D levels and psychiatric illness.


METHODS
This study was an audit of serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25-OHD) levels measured routinely in a sample of 53 inpatients in a private psychiatric clinic. These levels were compared with those of controls without psychiatric illness.


RESULTS
The median levels of serum 25-OHD were 43.0 nmol L(-1) (range 20-102 nmol L(-1)) in the patient population, 46.0 nmol L(-1) (range 20-102 nmol L(-1)) in female patients (n =33) and 41.5 nmol L(-1) (range 22-97 nmol L(-1)) in male patients (n =20). The proportion of vitamin D insufficiency (serum 25-OHD < or =50 nmol L(-1)) in this patient population was 58%. Furthermore, 11% had moderate deficiency (serum 25-OHD < or =25 nmol L(-1)). There was a 29% difference between mean levels in the patient population and control sample (geometric mean age- and season-adjusted levels: 46.4 nmol L(-1) (95% confidence interval (CI) =38.6-54.9 nmol L(-1)) vs 65.3 nmol L(-1) (95%CI =63.2-67.4 nmol L(-1)), p <0.001).


CONCLUSIONS
Low levels of serum 25-OHD were found in this patient population. These data add to the literature suggesting an association between vitamin D insufficiency and psychiatric illness, and suggest that routine monitoring of vitamin D levels may be of benefit given the high yield of clinically relevant findings.
Berk
Michael
M
Department of Clinical and Biomedical Sciences: Barwon Health, University of Melbourne, Geelong, Australia. mikebe@barwonhealth.org.au
Jacka
Felice N
FN
Williams
Lana J
LJ
Ng
Felicity
F
Dodd
Seetal
S
Pasco
Julie A
JA
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D015519:Bone Density; D001851:Bone Diseases, Metabolic / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology; D003865:Major Depressive Disorder / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D005260:Female; D006760:Hospitalization; D016304:Hospitals, Private; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012621:Seasons; D014807:Vitamin D / Q000031:analogs & derivatives* / Q000097:blood / Q000627:therapeutic use; D014808:Vitamin D Deficiency / Q000097:blood* / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000453:epidemiology*; D055815:Young Adult
D014807:Vitamin D; C104450:25-hydroxyvitamin D