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Relationship between vitamin D status and psychopathology in patients with first-episode schizophrenia: a cross-sectional study

Middle East Current Psychiatry 2017, 24:43–48 Background Deficient vitamin D is one of the implicated factors in the etiopathogenesis of schizophrenia and other mental disorders. However, there are scarce reports as regards its prevalence or associated problems among those with first-episode schizophrenia. Objective The aim of this study was to assess 25-hydroxyvitamin D [25(OH)D] serum concentrations in first-episode schizophrenia male patients as compared with healthy controls and to determine whether a correlation exists between serum levels of 25(OH)D and disease activity. Methods We enrolled 50 male patients with first-episode schizophrenia and compared them with 50 controls with no major psychopathology. The Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale for schizophrenia and the Montgomery–Asberg Depression Rating Scale for depression were administered on the same day. The blood samples were drawn and plasma 25(OH)D level was measured using immunoassay. Results Lower serum 25(OH)D concentrations were detected among patients with firstepisode schizophrenia (24.8 ± 11.21 ng/ml) compared with controls (67.3 ± 22.91 ng/ml, Po0.05). We found a negative correlation between duration of untreated psychosis (DUP), disease activity (measured using the Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale and Montgomery–Asberg Depression Rating Scale score), and vitamin D levels. Conclusion Serum 25(OH)D levels were lower in patients with schizophrenia as compared with healthy controls. A negative correlation was found between plasma vitamin D level, DUP, and severity of psychopathology. Future trials may investigate this association with longer follow-up. We suggested that plasma 25(OH)D levels should be measured in patients with first-episode schizophrenia, especially those with a longer DUP (410 weeks) and prominent negative and more severe depressive symptoms. Our finding may raise the suggestion that further treatment with add-on vitamin D supplements and diets that are rich in vitamin D may be beneficial.