Determination of folic acid and vitamin B12 serum levels in patients with major depressive disorder in Upper Egypt population: a case–control study

Abstract

ContextMajor depressive disorder depression is classified as the third cause of morbidity in the world and is estimated to account for 12–15% of years on disability. The basis of this association may be that the synthesis of methionine requires a supply of both methyl groups from methyl-folate and also vitamin B12 as cofactor.AimsTo estimate folic acid and vitamin B12 levels in patients diagnosed with major depressive disorder and their relation to the disease severity.Settings and designA case–control study involving patients diagnosed with major depressive disorder either first or recurrent episode was conducted.Patients and methodsA total of 94 persons participated into this study, who were divided into 47 patients with major depressive disorder and 47 persons free of depression. Venous blood sample was taken from each patient and control for assessment of the folic acid and vitamin B12 serum levels.Statistical analysis usedSPSS, version 23.0, was used for data management and data analysis. Mean ± SD, median, and range were used for descriptive statistics, and χ2 test and Fisher's exact test for analytical.ResultsThis case–control study uncovered that there is a significant correlation between vitamin B12 and folic acid levels and occurrence of major depressive disorder and insignificant correlation between vitamin B12 and folic acid levels and severity of depression or suicidal probability.ConclusionThere is an inverse relation between vitamin B12 and folic acid serum levels and depression but no relation with the severity or suicide probability or disability degree.