Clinical correlates of vitamin D deficiency in established psychosis
BackgroundSuboptimal vitamin D levels have been identified in populations with psychotic disorders.We sought to explore the relationship between vitamin D deficiency, clinical characteristics and cardiovascular disease risk factors among people with established psychosis.MethodsVitamin D levels were measured in 324 community dwelling individuals in England with established psychotic disorders, along with measures of mental health, cardiovascular risk and lifestyle choices. Vitamin D deficiency was defined as serum 25 hydroxyvitamin D (25 OHD) levels below 10 ng/ml (equivalent to <25 nmol/L) and "sufficient" Vitamin D as above 30 ng/ml >50 nmol/L).ResultsThe mean 25 OHD serum level was 12.4 (SD 7.3) ng/ml, (range 4.0 51.7 ng/ml) Forty nine percent (n 158) were vitamin D deficient, with only 14 (n 45) meeting criteria for sufficiency. Accounting for age, gender, ethnicity and season of sampling, serum 25 OHD levels were negatively correlated with waist circumference (r 0.220, p 0.002) triglycerides (r 0.160, p 0.024) total cholesterol (r 0.144, p 0.043) fasting glucose (r 0.191, p 0.007) HbA1c (r 0.183, p 0.01) and serum CRP levels (r 0.211, p 0.003) and were linked to the presence of metabolic syndrome.ConclusionsThis is the largest cross sectional study of serum 25 OHD levels in community dwelling individuals with established psychosis, indicating a high level of vitamin D deficiency. Lower vitamin D levels are associated with increased cardiovascular disease risk factors and in particular metabolic syndrome. Further research is needed to define appropriate protocols for vitamin D testing and supplementation in practice to see if this can improve cardiovascular disease risk.Trial registrationISRCTN number is ISRCTN58667926 Date of registration: 23/04/2010
BMC Psychiatry