Low serum vitamin B12 is significantly associated with depression: A cross sectional observational study
Journal Title: Journal of Public Health and Development - Year 2024, Vol 22, Issue 2
Abstract
Vitamin B12 plays a vital role in the prevention of psychological disorders. Studies have reported the positive impact of vitamin B12 supplementation on cognitive functions. However, epidemiological research on the prevalence of depression in the vitamin B12-deficient adult population is still insufficient. Thus, the present study investigates the prevalence of depression among the vitamin B12-deficient 400 adult participants, whose serum vitamin B12 status was below 200pg/mL, aged between 18 years to 60 years. The sociodemographic profile, anthropometric assessment and presence or absences of clinical symptoms were recorded via self-administered questionnaire. Participants were divided in Vitamin B12 insufficient and deficient group. Depression was screened by Beck- Depression Inventory II (BDI-II) scale, with 21-item self-administered survey. The study reported, 16% participants were from deficient group (serum vitamin B 12 below 150 pg/ml) with mean age 43.2±10.5 years. Depressive symptoms were found inversely associated with serum vitamin B12 levels. A significant association (at p<0.05) was found with age (chi sq=44.09, d.f.= 2, and p=0.001), gender (chi sq=7.91, d.f.= 1, and p=0.0048), body mass index (chi sq=12.97, d.f.= 2, and p=0.022), metformin usage (chi sq=8.31, d.f.= 2, and p=0.015), religion (chi sq=7.54, d.f.= 2, and p=0.022), income group (chi sq=5.71, d.f.= 2, and p=0.04), food preferences (chi sq=18.95, d.f.= 2, and p=0.00007) and clinical symptoms. The odds (CI) of depression among vitamin B12 deficient participants were found 5.88 (2.81-12.32), making it an independent predictor of depression. After adjusting with confounding variables, the association remained the same. The study revealed that the adult population with reduced vitamin B12 levels has higher probabilities of developing depression, and the chances increased with age. Thus, early detection and low cost supplementation should be implemented to combat vitamin B12 deficiency and its complications.
Authors and Affiliations
Mayuri Rastogi, Manoj Kumar Nandkeoliar, Atul Sangal, Bushra Shaida, Saleem Siddiqui.
Comparison between using an Automatic Uterine Massage Machine and manual uterine massage on postpartum blood loss within two hours after delivery at labour room, Phramongkutklao Hospital
This experimental study compares the effectiveness of Automatic Uterine Massage Machine (AUMM) and Manual Uterine Massage on uterine contraction intensity and the amount of postpartum blood loss within two hours after de...
Prevalence of and factors related to diabetes among aquaculture workers in Hai Phong, Vietnam: a cross-sectional study
Diabetes is one of the non-communicable diseases that occurs when the pancreas does not produce enough insulin or when the body cannot effectively use the insulin it produces. The disease can lead to dangerous complicati...
Quality of work life (QoWL) among farmers in Thailand
Working conditions and quality of work life reflect a person’s overall quality of life and wellbeing. The purpose of this cross-sectional survey study was to investigate the working conditions, quality of work life, and...
Sedentary behaviour and its link to depression and anxiety in adults: a systematic review and meta-analysis
The increased mechanization and advancements in technology over the past few years have increased the time an individual spends sitting. Various studies have established links between non-communicable diseases and sedent...
Hypertension: Is it a concern only among the overweight and obese Garo women of Kamrup district, Assam?
Hypertension is among the most important risk factors for cardiovascular diseases. It was found that subjects who do vigorous physical activity, have brought down mortality and lowered the danger of cardiovascular sickne...