Dutch study confirms link between certain psychiatric disorders and vitamin D deficiency
10/2016
A new study published in the Journal of Clinical Psychopharmacology produced data that verifies the link between vitamin D deficiency and disorders such as schizophrenia, schizoaffective disorder and bipolar disorder.
Building on previous research that showed a link between schizophrenia and vitamin D deficiency, a Dutch research team conducted a study that examined outpatients, rather than hospitalized patients, to determine whether vitamin D deficiency was more prevalent among patients with schizophrenia, schizoaffective disorder or bipolar disorder than the general population, and whether there was a significant difference in vitamin D levels between patients suffering from each of the three disorders.
In a sample that included 118 patients with bipolar disorder and 202 patients with schizophrenia or schizoaffective disorder, the researchers found that there was no significant difference between the vitamin D levels of patients suffering from each disorder, but did confirm a substantial disparity between the patients and the general Dutch population.
“In this study, vitamin D deficiency was found to be 4.7 times more common in a population of 320 outpatients with bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, or schizoaffective disorder compared with the Dutch general population,” the authors said.
The researchers suggested that patients with schizophrenia, schizoaffective disorder and bipolar disorder be considered “at risk” for vitamin D deficiency, and recommended annual measurement of vitamin D levels in order to prevent bone and muscle conditions related to low levels of the vitamin.
https://lifesciencedaily.com/innovation/18980-dutch-study-confirms-link-certain-psychiatric-disorders-vitamin-d-deficiency/
A new study published in the Journal of Clinical Psychopharmacology produced data that verifies the link between vitamin D deficiency and disorders such as schizophrenia, schizoaffective disorder and bipolar disorder.
Building on previous research that showed a link between schizophrenia and vitamin D deficiency, a Dutch research team conducted a study that examined outpatients, rather than hospitalized patients, to determine whether vitamin D deficiency was more prevalent among patients with schizophrenia, schizoaffective disorder or bipolar disorder than the general population, and whether there was a significant difference in vitamin D levels between patients suffering from each of the three disorders.
In a sample that included 118 patients with bipolar disorder and 202 patients with schizophrenia or schizoaffective disorder, the researchers found that there was no significant difference between the vitamin D levels of patients suffering from each disorder, but did confirm a substantial disparity between the patients and the general Dutch population.
“In this study, vitamin D deficiency was found to be 4.7 times more common in a population of 320 outpatients with bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, or schizoaffective disorder compared with the Dutch general population,” the authors said.
The researchers suggested that patients with schizophrenia, schizoaffective disorder and bipolar disorder be considered “at risk” for vitamin D deficiency, and recommended annual measurement of vitamin D levels in order to prevent bone and muscle conditions related to low levels of the vitamin.
https://lifesciencedaily.com/innovation/18980-dutch-study-confirms-link-certain-psychiatric-disorders-vitamin-d-deficiency/
