The impact of vitamin D supplementation on depression and anxiety in young individuals with depression and vitamin D insufficiency/deficiency.

PURPOSE: This study evaluates the effects of vitamin D supplementation on depression and anxiety in young people with major depression and vitamin D insufficiency/deficiency.

METHODS

This partially randomized patient preference trial enrolled outpatients aged 10-24 with major depression and vitamin D insufficiency/deficiency. Participants who expressed a preference received vitamin D, while others were randomly assigned to vitamin D or placebo groups. Randomization was performed using computer-generated random numbers in blocks of four, with allocation concealed from researchers, participants, and treating physicians. Supplementation groups received 4,800 IU of vitamin D3 daily for 8 weeks. The primary outcome was assessor-rated depressive symptoms measured using the 17-item Hamilton Depression Rating Scale. Secondary outcomes were self-reported depression (Beck Depression Inventory-II) and anxiety (Generalized Anxiety Disorder-7).

RESULTS

A total of 108 participants were included and assigned to three groups: randomized vitamin D (RVD, n = 41; mild/moderate-to-severe depression, 23/18), preference vitamin D (PVD, n = 28; 16/12), and placebo (PL, n = 39; 23/16). Among adolescents (10-19 years), 9/8 in the RVD group had mild/moderate-to-severe depression, compared to 9/8 in the PVD group, and 10/7 in the PL group. There was no significant difference in depression between the RVD and PL groups (B =  - 0.30, 95% CI [- 1.81, 1.21], p = 0.698), however anxiety was reduced in the RVD group (B =  - 1.78, 95% CI [- 3.35, - 0.32], p = 0.026). Subgroup analyses revealed that the participants with moderate-to-severe depression in the RVD groups had reduced depression and anxiety versus placebo. However, the subgroup of adolescents with moderate-to-severe depression did not differ in all outcome scores in the RVD versus placebo. There were no significant differences between the PVD and RVD groups. No differences in hypercalcemia or hyperphosphatemia were observed. The trial was completed.

CONCLUSION

Vitamin D supplementation may benefit young people with moderate-to-severe depression and vitamin D insufficiency/deficiency. While sample size constraints favor an exploratory interpretation of these findings, this study provides a valuable piece of the puzzle; future trials are essential to complete the clinical picture.