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Original Research
Online Published: 20 Aug 2015
 
RMJ. 2015; 40(3): 266-268


Vitamin D status in psychiatric patients in Karachi, Pakistan: a retrospective case notes review

Mukesh Bhimani, Faheem Khan, Tayyab Arfeen, Rashid A Masud Khan.


Abstract
Objective: To study the serum levels of vitamin D in Pakistani psychiatric patients.
Methodology: This Observational study was carried out at Department of Psychiatry, Aga Khan University, Karachi, from January 2009 to December 2009. We reviewed medical records of 184 psychiatric patients, whose vitamin D levels were measured. Vitamin D levels were divided in three categories: deficiency (<20ng/ml), insufficiency (21-29ng/ml) and sufficiency (30ng/ml and above). Data collection form included socio-demographic details, psychiatric diagnosis and co-morbid medical diagnosis. Chi square and Fisher’s Exact Test were applied to see the association between categorical variables i.e. vitamin D levels and depression.
Results: Of the 184 patients, 163 (88.6%) had low levels of vitamin D (either deficiency or insufficiency). Depression was found to be the most common diagnosis in patients with vitamin D deficiency/insufficiency (n=100, 61.34%; p=0.007) as compared to other psychiatric disorders.
Conclusion: There appears to be an association of low vitamin D levels and depression in our study group. The findings of this study are especially relevant as there is adequate sunlight throughout the year in Pakistan. There is need for larger cross sectional and prospective studies in this area in Pakistan.

Key words: Vitamin D, psychiatric patients, depression, Pakistan


 
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How to Cite this Article
Pubmed Style

Bhimani M, Khan F, Arfeen T, Khan RAM. Vitamin D status in psychiatric patients in Karachi, Pakistan: a retrospective case notes review. RMJ. 2015; 40(3): 266-268.

Web Style

Bhimani M, Khan F, Arfeen T, Khan RAM. Vitamin D status in psychiatric patients in Karachi, Pakistan: a retrospective case notes review. https://www.rmj.org.pk/?mno=178369 [Access: October 30, 2025].

AMA (American Medical Association) Style

Bhimani M, Khan F, Arfeen T, Khan RAM. Vitamin D status in psychiatric patients in Karachi, Pakistan: a retrospective case notes review. RMJ. 2015; 40(3): 266-268.


Vancouver/ICMJE Style

Bhimani M, Khan F, Arfeen T, Khan RAM. Vitamin D status in psychiatric patients in Karachi, Pakistan: a retrospective case notes review. RMJ. (2015), [cited October 30, 2025]; 40(3): 266-268.


Harvard Style

Bhimani, M., Khan, . F., Arfeen, . T. & Khan, . R. A. M. (2015) Vitamin D status in psychiatric patients in Karachi, Pakistan: a retrospective case notes review. RMJ, 40 (3), 266-268.


Turabian Style

Bhimani, Mukesh, Faheem Khan, Tayyab Arfeen, and Rashid A Masud Khan. 2015. Vitamin D status in psychiatric patients in Karachi, Pakistan: a retrospective case notes review. Rawal Medical Journal, 40 (3), 266-268.


Chicago Style

Bhimani, Mukesh, Faheem Khan, Tayyab Arfeen, and Rashid A Masud Khan. "Vitamin D status in psychiatric patients in Karachi, Pakistan: a retrospective case notes review." Rawal Medical Journal 40 (2015), 266-268.


MLA (The Modern Language Association) Style

Bhimani, Mukesh, Faheem Khan, Tayyab Arfeen, and Rashid A Masud Khan. "Vitamin D status in psychiatric patients in Karachi, Pakistan: a retrospective case notes review." Rawal Medical Journal 40.3 (2015), 266-268. Print.


APA (American Psychological Association) Style

Bhimani, M., Khan, . F., Arfeen, . T. & Khan, . R. A. M. (2015) Vitamin D status in psychiatric patients in Karachi, Pakistan: a retrospective case notes review. Rawal Medical Journal, 40 (3), 266-268.


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