• Michael Berk, Felice N Jacka, Lana J Williams, Felicity Ng, Seetal Dodd, and Julie A Pasco.
• Department of Clinical and Biomedical Sciences: Barwon Health, University of Melbourne, Geelong, Australia. mikebe@barwonhealth.org.au
• Aust N Z J Psychiatry. 2008 Oct 1; 42 (10): 874-8.

ObjectiveThe aim of the present study was to investigate the relationship between reduced serum vitamin D levels and psychiatric illness.MethodThis study was an audit of serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25-OHD) levels measured routinely in a sample of 53 inpatients in a private psychiatric clinic. These levels were compared with those of controls without psychiatric illness.ResultsThe median levels of serum 25-OHD were 43.0 nmol L(-1) (range 20-102 nmol L(-1)) in the patient population, 46.0 nmol L(-1) (range 20-102 nmol L(-1)) in female patients (n =33) and 41.5 nmol L(-1) (range 22-97 nmol L(-1)) in male patients (n =20). The proportion of vitamin D insufficiency (serum 25-OHD < or =50 nmol L(-1)) in this patient population was 58%. Furthermore, 11% had moderate deficiency (serum 25-OHD < or =25 nmol L(-1)). There was a 29% difference between mean levels in the patient population and control sample (geometric mean age- and season-adjusted levels: 46.4 nmol L(-1) (95% confidence interval (CI) =38.6-54.9 nmol L(-1)) vs 65.3 nmol L(-1) (95%CI =63.2-67.4 nmol L(-1)), p <0.001).ConclusionLow levels of serum 25-OHD were found in this patient population. These data add to the literature suggesting an association between vitamin D insufficiency and psychiatric illness, and suggest that routine monitoring of vitamin D levels may be of benefit given the high yield of clinically relevant findings.

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