Vitamin D deficiency and Schizophrenia in Adults: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis of Observational Studies

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#biomarkers #humans #observational-studies-as-topic #schizophrenia #vitamin-d

Vitamin D deficiency and Schizophrenia in Adults: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis of Observational Studies

Zhu et al., 2020 | Psychiatry Res | Meta Analysis

Citation

Zhu Jia-Lian, Luo Wen-Wen, ... Peng Wen-Xing. Vitamin D deficiency and Schizophrenia in Adults: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis of Observational Studies. Psychiatry Res. 2020-Jun;288:112959. doi:10.1016/j.psychres.2020.112959

Abstract

Schizophrenia is a heterogeneous disorder in which there is an interaction between genetic and environmental factors. Accumulating data show that there may be an association between vitamin D deficiency and schizophrenia. We conducted an updated meta-analysis to investigate the relationship between schizophrenia and blood vitamin D level. All published observational articles have been searched from five databases until September 2019. In total, 36 articles with a total of 12528 participants were included in this study. Patients with schizophrenia have significantly lower levels of vitamin D than controls. The subgroup analyses based on study design, hospitalization status, quality score, type of biomarker [25-hydroxyvitamin D or 25-hydroxyvitamin D3], and the country did not explain between-study heterogeneity; however, meta-regression on match factors indicted that match of BMI could account for some degree of heterogeneity. No significant differences in publication bias were observed. Also, subjects with schizophrenia were more likely to have vitamin D deficiency or insufficiency compared to controls. In conclusion, our analyses are consistent with the hypothesis that vitamin D deficiency is associated with schizophrenia. More well-designed randomized control trials are needed to determine whether this association is causal.

Key Findings

More well-designed randomized control trials are needed to determine whether this association is causal.

Outcomes Measured

  • Requires manual extraction

Population

Field Value
Population schizophrenia have significantly lower
Sample Size 12528
Age Range See abstract
Condition deficiency

MeSH Terms

  • Biomarkers
  • Humans
  • Observational Studies as Topic
  • Schizophrenia
  • Vitamin D
  • Vitamin D Deficiency

Evidence Classification

  • Level: Meta Analysis
  • Publication Types: Journal Article, Meta-Analysis, Systematic Review
  • Vertical: vitamin-d

Provenance

Source extracted via PubMed E-utilities API on 2026-04-09