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Effect of vitamin D supplementation on outcomes in people with early psychosis: The DFEND randomized clinical trial
Since vitamin D deficiency is associated with poorer mental and physical health among patients with psychotic disorders, this 2021 study assessed whether vitamin D supplementation can improve clinical outcomes in first-episode psychosis (FEP). This clinical trial recruited adults (aged between 18 to 65 years) within 3 years of a first presentation with a functional psychotic disorder and no contraindication to vitamin D supplementation. In total, 149 participants were included and randomized to either receive 120,000 international units (UI) of cholecalciferol (vitamin D3) supplement or placebo monthly. After 6 months, 104 of these subjects made up the follow-up data and were examined on their mental health. The primary outcome measure was total Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale (PANSS), which can identify the presence and severity of positive and negative symptoms. There were no differences found in the intention-to-treat analysis in the PANSS between baseline and the 6-month follow-up, or between the 3-month and 6-month scores. Other tests conducted in this trial include the Global Assessment of Function (measures how much a person’s symptoms affect their day-to-day life), Calgary Depression Scale score (determines the level of depression), waist circumference, body mass index, and glycated hemoglobin, total cholesterol, and C-reactive protein. There were also no differences in these measures between the baseline and 6-month outcomes. Vitamin D levels were very low in the study participants, particularly in Black participants and those who identified as another minoritized racial and ethnic group. Around 93% of these minority ethnic groups showed low levels of vitamin D. This study did not find an association between vitamin D supplementation and mental health or metabolic outcomes at 6 months. But so few patients had satisfactory vitamin D levels, which suggests that future population health strategies could target and help this group. [NPID: vitamin D, cholecalciferol, supplements, diet, micronutrients, nutrients, ethnic groups, psychosis, schizophrenia, depression]
Year: 2021
