Journal of Clinical Psychiatry
Volume 71, Issue 12, 2010, Pages 1598-1604

A cross-sectional study of vitamin D deficiency among immigrants and Norwegians with psychosis compared to the general population (Article)

Berg A.O. , Melle I. , Torjesen P.A. , Lien L. , Hauff E. , Andreassen O.A.
  • a Institute of Psychiatry, University of Oslo, Oslo University Hospital, Kirkeveien 166, N-0407 Oslo, Norway
  • b Institute of Psychiatry, University of Oslo, Oslo University Hospital, Kirkeveien 166, N-0407 Oslo, Norway, Department of Psychiatry, Oslo University Hospital, Norway
  • c Hormone Laboratory, Oslo University Hospital, Norway
  • d Institute of Psychiatry, University of Oslo, Oslo University Hospital, Kirkeveien 166, N-0407 Oslo, Norway, Innlandet Hospital Trust HF, Gjøvik, Norway
  • e Institute of Psychiatry, University of Oslo, Oslo University Hospital, Kirkeveien 166, N-0407 Oslo, Norway, Department of Psychiatry, Oslo University Hospital, Norway
  • f Institute of Psychiatry, University of Oslo, Oslo University Hospital, Kirkeveien 166, N-0407 Oslo, Norway, Department of Psychiatry, Oslo University Hospital, Norway

Abstract

Objective: Vitamin D deficiency is common among immigrants, who, as a group, have heightened risk of psychosis. This study aimed to determine vitamin D levels among immigrants and Norwegians with psychosis compared to the general population and their association to clinical characteristics. Method: This study compared vitamin D levels between immigrants and Norwegians within and between samples of patients with psychosis from a catchment area-based cross-sectional study (2002-2007) with a sample from a population-based health study from the same catchment area (2000-2001). The psychosis sample included patients with a Structured Clinical Interview for DSM-IV Axis I disorders diagnosis of psychotic disorder (67 immigrants, 66 Norwegians). The reference sample consisted of 1,046 subjects (177 immigrants, 869 Norwegians). Serum levels of vitamin D were measured by radioimmunoassay, and results were presented as 25-hydroxyvitamin D levels. Results: Over 80% (n = 55) of immigrant patients with psychosis had insufficient/deficient serum levels of 25-hydroxyvitamin D (< 50 nmol/L). Immigrants had higher rates of 25-hydroxyvitamin D deficiency than Norwegians (P < .001). Norwegians with psychosis had lower serum levels of 25-hydroxyvitamin D than Norwegians in the reference sample from the general public (P < .001). 25-Hydroxyvitamin D levels correlated with certain negative/depressive symptoms among patients with psychosis. Conclusions: An alarmingly high percentage of immigrants and Norwegians with psychotic disorders have 25-hydroxyvitamin D deficiency. This has important clinical implications as it suggests possible beneficial effects of vitamin D medication/heliotherapy within this group. © Copyright 2010 Physicians Postgraduate Press, Inc.

Author Keywords

[No Keywords available]

Index Keywords

depression immigrant schizophrenia Norway population Radioimmunoassay vitamin blood level Sampling Studies human middle aged psychosis Vitamin D priority journal Aged diagnostic and statistical manual of mental disorders Cross-Sectional Studies Humans 25 hydroxyvitamin D male Emigrants and Immigrants female Psychotic Disorders vitamin D deficiency Article major clinical study adult schizoaffective psychosis
Link
https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-78650504127&doi=10.4088%2fJCP.09m05299yel&partnerID=40&md5=443aec05c5b1199ca2f31271e4fcbefd
DOI: 10.4088/JCP.09m05299yel
ISSN: 01606689
Cited by: 47
Original Language: English