STUDY OF VITAMIN D DEFICIENCY IN PATIENTS WITH DEPRESSIONWHETHER IT IS THE REASON FOR THE HIGH RATES OF SOMATIC PRESENTATION OF DEPRESSION.

Abstract

Background: Several studies have shown a relationship between depression and low levels of Vitamin D in the body. At the same time, somatisation is found to be a significant complaint in many patients of depression. Whether somatisation has any relationship with the low levels of Vitamin D, needs further research. Aims: To compare the prevalence of Vitamin D deficiency between depressed and non depressed subjects, and see if somatic presentation of depression has any correlate with Vitamin D deficiency. Design: Observational, cross-sectional, hospital- based study. Materials & Methods: The study was conducted in the Department of Psychiatry, in a Private Hospital. Diagnosed MDD patients consenting to participate in the study, & sex matched controls, comprising of close family members of patients were selected. Detailed assessment of depression symptomatology was done. Assessment of somatization was done using Bradford Somatic Inventory. Blood samples were collected for routine tests and Vitamin D (total) estimation. Results: In the group of MDD patients, the mean age of females is 52 years, & mean age of males is 50 years. In the MDD group, the mean Vitamin D level is 17.12; in the control group, the mean Vitamin D level is 22.19. The difference is statistically significant. Among MDD patients, 70% had deficiency of Vitamin D. In the Severe somatic symptom category, 68.3% had deficiency of Vitamin D; in the Mild somatic symptom category, 66.7% had deficiency of Vitamin D. The difference is not statistically significant. Conclusion: Depression patients have significantly higher proportion of Vitamin D deficiency cases. Depressed patients with higher number of somatic symptoms have lower vitamin D level, but the difference is not significant.