Relationship between Vitamin D and Mental
Health among Dental Students in Saudi Arabia:
A Descriptive Cross-Sectional Study
Published: April 1, 2020 | DOI: https://doi.org/10.7860/JCDR/2020/43248.13646
Abdulrahman A Al-Atram, Gunapriya Ragunath, S Karthiga Kannan
1. Professor, Department of Psychiatry, College of Medicine, Majmaah University, Al Majmaah, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
2. Professor, Department of Anatomy, Saveetha Medical College and Hospital, Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India.
3. Professor, Department of Dental Education, College of Dentistry, Majmaah University, Al Majmaah, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
Correspondence
Dr. S Karthiga Kannan,
Professor, Department of Dental Education, College of Dentistry, Majmaah University, Al Majmaah-11952, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. E-mail: k.pillai@mu.edu.sa
Introduction: Vitamin D is a unique neuro-steroid hormone, which has significant effects on mood disorders such as depression and anxiety.
Aim: To determine the prevalence of vitamin D deficiency, depression, and anxiety among University Dental students.
Materials and Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional study was carried out during the academic year 2018 January to March using a simple, randomised sampling method. Hundred students at different academic levels and grades from College of Dentistry, Majmaah University in Saudi Arabia were a part of the study. Blood samples were collected to record 25- hydroxyvitamin D 25(OH)D levels. A validated Arabic Behaviour Rating Scales was used to measure depression and anxiety. The Grade Point Average (GPA) score of each student was also recorded.
Results: Vitamin D deficiency was prevalent in 89% of the students, with a mean value of 10.24 ng/mL. Anxiety levels were observed in 62% of the students and the anxiety levels ranged between 29% (moderate) and 33% (severe). Vitamin D deficiency was found to be positively correlated with anxiety (r=0.459 with p=0.001) and GPA scores (r=0.282 with p-0.004) although no significant correlation between Vitamin D deficiency and depression was observed (r=0.173, p-0.07).
Conclusion: Vitamin D deficiency showed significant correlation with anxiety and GPA scores, but no correlation with depression among the students of Majmaah University (dental faculty).
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