Vitamin D Levels and Socio-Demographic Profile of Psychiatric Patients - A Hospital based Study

ABSTRACT

Introduction: Vitamin D is increasingly being recognizedas important for brain health, apart from its importance inendocrine and bone health. There is evidence that vitamin Ddeficiency is also related to medical problems such as obesity,diabetes mellitus, and hypertension, to which patients withpsychiatric illnesses are particularly vulnerable. Hence, thepresent study was undertaken to assess Vitamin D levels inpsychiatric patients.Material and Methods: The present study was conductedamong 108 psychiatric patients visiting out-patient departmentfor psychiatry treatment at district hospital, Namchi, SouthSikkim. Vitamin D levels were estimated using serum25-hydroxy vitamin D (25[OH]D). Data so obtained wasanalyzed using SPSS-20 and was expressed as number andpercentage as required.Results: Assessment of Vitamin D3 levels (ng/ml) amongpsychiatric patients revealed that 23 (22%) had Vitamin D3levels up to 10 ng/ml, 48 (44%) had 11-20 ng/ml and 37 (34%)had Vitamin D3 levels ranging 21-30 ng/ml.Conclusion: Assessment of Vitamin D levels amongpsychiatric patients revealed that majority of patients hadinsufficient Vitamin D levels. Thus, evaluation and treatmentof vitamin D deficiency should be considered to protectmusculoskeletal health