In Psychotic Disorders, Vitamin D Insufficiency Is Linked to Worse Outcomes
Vitamin D insufficiency is associated with an increased risk of developing metabolic syndrome among individuals with psychotic disorders, according to a new study.
For their study, the researchers evaluated 302 community-dwelling patients with psychotic disorders. The researchers recorded sociodemographic and clinical characteristics of each patient, such as blood pressure (BP), physical activity, and eating habits.
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Patients also underwent various laboratory tests, including vitamin D, lipid profile, fasting plasma glucose, hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c), liver function, and renal function testing.
Ultimately, 236 (78.1%) patients had vitamin D insufficiency (defined as less than 20 ng/mL) and 97 (32.1%) had metabolic syndrome. Results indicated a significant association of vitamin D insufficiency with the presence of metabolic syndrome and hypertension. This association remained significant following adjustment.
The researchers also observed significant increases in triglycerides and alanine transaminase in patients with vitamin D insufficiency.
“Vitamin D insufficiency was associated with metabolic syndrome and was particularly associated with high blood pressure, although the nature, direction and implications of this association are unclear,” the researchers concluded.
—Christina Vogt
Reference:
Yoo T, Choi W, Hong JH, et al. Association between vitamin D insufficiency and metabolic syndrome in patients with psychotic disorders [Published online February 28, 2018]. Psychiatry Invest. https://doi.org/10.30773/pi.2017.08.30.