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Lookup NU author(s): Dr Iain McKinnonORCiD
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License (CC BY 4.0).
Aims and MethodTo assess the benefits of the introduction of routine vitamin D serum sampling to all patients admitted to a secure inpatient hospital in the north of England providing medium security, low security and rehabilitation services for offenders with intellectual and developmental disability. The vitamin D levels of 100 patients were analysed at baseline. Those with insufficient or deficient levels were offered treatment and retested after one year. Vitamin D levels were analysed in the context of level of security, seasonality of test and co-prescription of psychotropic medications.ResultsEighty-three percent of patients had suboptimal vitamin D levels at initial test (41% deficient and 42% insufficient). This was seen among established patients and new admissions. Vitamin D levels were lower among patients taking antipsychotics but not anticonvulsants. Samples taken in the winter months and from those in medium security showed slightly lower vitamin D levels, although these were statistically insignificant differences. Patients with deficiency or insufficiency were all offered supplementation. Those who opted in had significantly higher vitamin D levels at follow up, compared to those who declined treatment. Clinical SignificanceEstablished and newly admitted patients in our secure mental health services had substantial levels of vitamin D insufficiency. In the light of health morbidities that are described to be associated with deficient vitamin D levels, routine screening and the offer of supplementation is advisable.Declaration of interestNone
Author(s): McKinnon I, Lewis T, Mehta N, Imrit S, Thorp J, Ince C
Publication type: Article
Publication status: Published
Journal: BJPsych Bulletin
Year: 2018
Volume: 42
Issue: 1
Pages: 24-29
Print publication date: 01/02/2018
Online publication date: 11/01/2018
Acceptance date: 06/07/2017
Date deposited: 11/01/2018
ISSN (print): 2056-4708
ISSN (electronic): 2056-4694
Publisher: Cambridge University Press
URL: https://doi.org/10.1192/bjb.2017.8
DOI: 10.1192/bjb.2017.8
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