Relation between vitamin D and impulse behaviours in patients with eating disorder: a pilot observational study

Abstract

Objective There is growing evidence that vitamin D levels have a role not only in bone health and energy metabolism, but also for supporting nervous system and brain functions, including impulsivity. Impulsive behaviours are considered characteristics of great relevance in patients with Eating Disorders (ED) both for the course of the illness and for the treatment. The aim of this study is to examine the relationship between impulsive behaviours and vitamin D in patients with ED. Method 236 patients with a diagnosis of ED, consecutively recruited at an ED ward between 2014 and 2018, were enrolled. Patients were classified as impulsive or non‐impulsive based on the presence of clinically relevant impulsive behaviours. Results Impulsive patients were found to have statistically significant lower levels of vitamin D than non‐impulsive (p = .007). A threshold value of 20.4 ng/ml for discriminating impulsive from non‐impulsive patients was found. Discussion This hypothesis generating study partially confirmed a relationship between vitamin D deficiency and impulsive behaviours in ED spectrum mediated by body weight, even if results were not confirmed after corrected by obesity. No definitive conclusion may be taken on whether the effect is reduced due to the loss of power. Future directions are discussed.

Health-related quality of life assessment in eating disorders: adjustment and validation of a specific scale with the inclusion of an interpersonal domain

“…All of them are more common in females, even though they are characterized by different onset ages as well as different clinical trajectories [8]. Psychiatric comorbidities and medical complications are common in ED, and may involve various organs and systems; in addition, they may be linked to undernutrition, purging or overweight [8][9][10][11][12]. Furthermore, patients preset psychological difficulties that can impair social aspects of everyday life (e.g., school, work and relationships), and could have a relevant impact on life experiences [13].…”

Augmenting Clinical Interventions in Psychiatric Disorders: Systematic Review and Update on Nutrition

“…In adults aged 65 years and above, higher vitamin D serum levels were associated with better attention and working memory performance ( 132 ). Vitamin D has also been reported to support the nervous system and brain functions such as impulsive behaviors, known to be of importance in the prognosis and treatment of patients with Eating Disorders ( 133 ). Vitamin B12 deficiency causes depression, lethargy, poor memory, fatigue, mania, and psychosis ( 89 ), while vitamin B3 (niacin) deficiency causes pellagra with resultant dementia ( 90 ).…”

Assessment of vitamin D among male adolescents and young adults hospitalized with eating disorders

“…Vitamin D is the second most prevalent micronutrient deficiency in hospitalized patients with eating disorders (after zinc deficiency), with more than half of patients having low serum vitamin D [ 2 ]. Vitamin D deficiency can yield inadequate bone growth and mineralization, and emerging research underscores its crucial role in neurodevelopment [ 3 ]. For instance, lower vitamin D levels are associated with higher risk-taking and impulsivity in patients with eating disorders [ 4 ].…”

“…Previous studies of adolescents with eating disorders have illustrated vitamin D deficiency and its ramifications including low bone mineral density and osteoporosis [ 1 , 15 ], though other factors (e.g., inadequate nutrition, low body mass index, hypogonadism, low growth hormone) may also contribute to low bone density [ 16 , 17 ]. However, the number of male participants in these studies was small, ranging from n = 3 to n = 14 [ 1 – 3 ]; thus, differences in eating disorder presentation and severity were not disaggregated between sexes. This crucial gap in knowledge demands further investigation with robust male inclusivity to inform sex-specific guidelines.…”