25 Hydroxyvitamin D levels, quality of life, and disability in long-standing patients of somatization

INTRODUCTION: Somatization disorder is a debilitating condition, in which patients have multiple physical complaints with no explained cause and no relief even after consultations. AIM: The present study examined the association of 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25[OH]D) levels, quality of life, disability, and symptom profile in long standing with somatization disorder. METHODS: One-hundred three patients of somatization disorder suffering for ≥2 years, visiting psychiatry outpatient clinic during two consecutive summer season (April to June) of 2015–2016 were recruited. Symptom profile was studied using Patient-Health-Questionnaire (PHQ-15) items (somatic symptoms), PHQ-9 items (depressive symptoms), Generalized Anxiety Disorder-7 (GAD-7) item (anxiety symptoms).quality of life was assessed using the World Health Organization Quality of Life BREF 26 item, and disability measure was World Health Organization Disability Assessment Schedule (WHODAS) 2.0. 25(OH) D levels were estimated using chemiluminescence binding assay. RESULTS: The poor quality of life in somatization disorder was significantly associated with disability, symptom profile using PHQ-15, PHQ-9, and GAD-7. 25(OH)D levels were deficient in 56.31% of the study population. CONCLUSION: The high somatic symptom severity in majority of patients suffering from somatization disorder needs more attention from psychiatrists across cultures so that functional status and quality of life can be improved. Routine estimation of Vitamin D levels and correction of its deficiency may bring about symptomatic relief at an early stage, thereby reducing the morbidity associated with the disorder.