RESUMO
Introduction: Depression is a leading source of disability world-wide with prevalence ranging from 8.8% to 18.3% in people aged 60 years or older. Depression is a not a simple term but has been used to describe a variety of infirmities, ranging from minor to debilitating. It is a multi-symptom disease and can even lead to suicidal attempt. Major depressive disorder [MDD], although one of the most common psychiatric illnesses, has an unknown etiology. Decreased serum levels of vitamin D have been implicated in the pathogenesis of MDD. Case control studies have supported a relationship between low vitamin D as possible predictors of depression. We designed a study to determine relationship, if any, between low vitamin D deficiency with depression and with severity of disease in our local population
Objective: The aim of this study to see any association of vitamin D deficiency in depressed Pakistani Patients
Study Design: Cross-sectional study
Setting: Fatima Memorial Hospital, Shadman, Lahore. Period: 2013-2015
Methods: Total of 150 diagnosed patients of 18-75 years of age was enrolled for this study, after a written consent. Depressed patients were further categorized into three groups depending on severity of disease i.e.; mild, moderate and severely depressed patients. Blood measures included serum vitamin D levels and data was recorded on structured data collection form
Results: In this study, we investigated the association between vitamin D status and depression in our local Pakistani population. Out of 150 depressed patients, 84.7% were vitamin D deficient. In our study, Out of 44 male depressed patients 9 [20.5%] had mild depression, 8 [18.2%] had moderate depression and 27 [61.4%] had severe depression. Out of 106 depressed female patients 42 [39.6%] had mild depression, 26 [24.5%] had moderate depression and 38 [35.8%] had severe depression symptoms. A negative correlation of vitamin D with severity of disease was also found in female depressed patients in our study. A significant negative correlation of vitamin D in all 44 male subjects with severity of disease was observed in our study. Higher prevalence of vitamin D deficiency was found in both males and females in our study
Conclusions: Vitamin D deficiency is associated with an increased risk of developing depression, but more prospective observational studies may be needed. Efficacy of vitamin D supplementation for preventing onset of depressive disorder is unknown. Efficacy of vitamin D supplementation for reducing depressive symptoms is largely unstudied. The study suggests dietary intervention with vitamin D would boost brain serotonin concentrations and help prevent and possibly relieve some of the symptoms associated with depression without side effects