Research: Vitamin D deficiency and depression in DPN patients

Vitamin D deficiency might lead to the occurrence of depression in diabetic peripheral neuropathy (DPN) patients by influencing cytokine levels. Additionally, supplementing with vitamin D could potentially alleviate depressive symptoms in these patients, a study published in Neuropsychiatric Disease and Treatment journal illustrated.

This prospective study by Zhou J et al. determined the role of vitamin D deficiency in the onset of depression and the effect of supplementation of this essential nutrient on improving depression in DPN patients.

The clinical and laboratory information of 192 patients with DPN considered for this study were collected.

The concentrations of 25-hydroxyvitamin D along with interleukin (IL)-1β, tumour necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), and IL-17A biomarkers were measured. Participants with low 25-hydroxyvitamin D were given a daily dose of vitamin D 5000 IU for a period of 12 weeks. After the supplementation, depression scores and levels of 25-hydroxyvitamin D, IL-1β, TNF-α and IL-17A were reassessed.

DPN patients had an increased occurrence of vitamin D deficiency and depression. Participants who were deficient in vitamin D levels exhibited significantly higher scores on the clinician-administered Hamilton Rating scale for Depression(HRSD) and elevated levels of inflammatory markers compared to those who had enough vitamin D levels. As per the Binary logistic analysis revealed, vitamin D insufficiency was found to contribute significantly to depression in people with DPN. Also, elevated sensitivity (~87%) of 25-hydroxyvitamin D in distinguishing DPN patients with depression was established.