Vitamin D serum levels in nurses in Semnan educational hospitals and its association with depression

The incidence and exacerbation of psychiatric problems such as depression and anxiety resulting from vitamin D deficiency is an important issue that has been considered in recent studies. However, from the professional perspective, medical careers are more exposed to either of problems. This study was aimed to determine the serum levels of vitamin D and its association with depression in Semnan University hospitals nurses. In this cross-sectional study the volunteered nurses employed at Semnan University of Medical Sciences hospitals were included in 2014. An inclusion criteria was their consent for participation and the exclusion criteria was a diagnosis to psychological disorder, including depression, in themselves or their first degree relatives. Serum vitamin D levels were measured by ELISA method and depression severity was evaluated by Beck Depression Inventory (BDI). The statistical analysis was done by chi-square and t tests. Nurses who fulfilled inclusion criteria were 182/256 employed nurses, including 138 female (75.8%) and 44 male (24.2%) with the mean age of 29.74 ± 7.919 years. 164 persons (90.1%) had bachelor's degree while the rest had Master’s, all with the mean professional experience of 7.09 ± 6.628 years. Mean body mass index in nurses was 22.47 ±3.717 kg/m2 and 12 persons (6.6%) had a history of vitamin D supplement intake during the past six months. Mean of the serum vitamin D level was 13.10 ± 5.865 ng/ml. The mean depression score was 10.45 ± 6.404. There was a significant inverse correlation between serum vitamin D levels and depression score (r = -0.338, P = 0.001). Vitamin D deficiency in the health care professions can be partially attributed to the work environment and night shifts. These persons are predisposed to mental health problems due to occupational stress. Some studies suggest a relationship between vitamin D deficiency and psychological depression. Our results showed that by the increment in the serum vitamin D levels, BDI score decreased, which indicated that the depression severity was minimized