Serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D3 and D2 and non-clinical psychotic experiences in childhood

Anna-Maija Tolppanen, Adrian Sayers, William D. Fraser, Glyn Lewis, Stanley Zammit, John McGrath, Debbie A. Lawlor

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23 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

Objective: Non-clinical psychotic experiences are common and distressing. It has been hypothesized that early life vitamin D deficiency may be a risk factor for psychosis-related outcomes, but it is not known if circulating concentrations of 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25(OH)D) during childhood are associated with psychosis-related outcomes or whether the two different forms of 25(OH)D, (25(OH)D and 25(OH)D, have similar associations with psychosis-related outcomes. Methods: We investigated the association between serum 25(OH)D and 25(OH)D concentrations and psychotic experiences in a prospective birth cohort study. Serum 25(OH)D and 25(OH)D concentrations were measured at mean age 9.8 years and psychotic experiences assessed at mean age 12.8 years by a psychologist (N = 3182). Results: Higher 25(OH)D concentrations were associated with lower risk of definite psychotic experiences (adjusted odds ratio: OR (95% confidence interval: CI) 0.85 (0.75-0.95)). Higher concentrations of 25(OH)D were associated with higher risk of suspected and definite psychotic experiences (adjusted odds ratio: OR (95% confidence interval: CI) 1.26 (1.11, 1.43)). Higher 25(OD)D concentrations were also weakly associated with definite psychotic experiences (adjusted OR (95% CI) 1.17 (0.96, 1.43), though with wide confidence intervals including the null value. Conclusions: Our findings of an inverse association of 25(OH)D with definite psychotic experiences is consistent with the hypothesis that vitamin D may protect against psychosis-related outcomes.
Original languageEnglish
Article numbere41575
JournalPLoS One
Volume7
Issue number7
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 25 Jul 2012

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