Analysis of Vitamin D Status in Major Depression

OBJECTIVE: The goals of this study were to determine the serum level of 25 hydroxyvitamin D (25[OH]D), a vitamin D metabolite, in patients with recurrent depression, to assess risk factors for vitamin D deficiency, and to evaluate whether the severity of symptoms of depression and response to treatment were associated with serum vitamin 25(OH)D level. METHOD: Ninety-one patients 18 to 65 years of age meeting the ICD-10 criteria for recurrent depression were evaluated for depressive symptoms using the Hamilton Depression Rating Scale. The control group consisted of 89 healthy subjects matched according to sex and age. Serum levels of 25(OH)D, parathyroid hormone (PTH), and calmodulin-dependent protein kinase II (Ca) were determined in all group members. RESULTS: A significantly decreased serum level of 25(OH)D was observed in the group of patients with recurrent depression compared with healthy subjects. PTH and Ca levels were within the reference values in a substantial majority of patients. No correlation was found between 25(OH)D serum level and age, sex, height, body mass index, disease duration, number of depressive episodes, type of pharmacotherapy, or effectiveness of treatment. CONCLUSIONS: Low serum levels of 25(OH)D in patients with recurrent depression suggest that these patients are an important risk group for vitamin D deficiency. However, no relationship was found between these low levels of 25(OH)D and response to treatment for depression. Nevertheless, the results indicate the need to monitor the concentration and supplementation of products containing calciferol in such patients.