Correlação entre os níveis de vitamina B12 e sintomas de depressão em pacientes diabéticos atendidos em um laboratório de análises clínicas no interior do Rio Grande do Sul.

Abstract

Nutritional deficiencies are part of the reality of millions of individuals around the world, either because of poor health and food conditions or the daily rush. Vitamin B12 is responsible for several functions in the body and its deficiency can cause neurological, cardiovascular and hematological disorders. Because its deficiency is in most cases asymptomatic, its diagnosis can be late and cause irreversible damage to the patient. Studies indicate that nutritional deficiencies influence mental health. In view of the above, the study aims to associate possible symptoms of depression with low levels of vitamin B12. The methodology of the study consists of the evaluation of symptoms of depression according to the answers presented in the PHQ-9 (The Patient Health Questionnaire) test, which has as an outcome measure the possible symptoms of depression presented by the patient, results ranging from minimum symptoms of depression to severe depression. Each question has a different score ranging from 0 to 3 and the sum of 9 questions will be the result to be interpreted. The questions range from feelings of guilt, lack of interest in everyday things, lack of concentration and even thoughts about suicide. Data were analyzed in SPSS software version 20.0. The results indicated that of the 63 women participants, 50.8% had low levels of vitamin B12. Among these, 31.25% had mild depression and 18.75% had severe depression. Of 37 men in this study, 40.5% had vitamin B12 decreased, 36.8% had moderate depression and 41.2% had moderately severe depression, according to the PHQ-9 questionnaire. Regarding the gender of the patient, the present study had a higher prevalence of women, indicating that a new study with more male participants would be indicated for a better comparison between the genders. The age group influences vitamin B12 values, since from the age of 50 the levels decrease, indicating a malabsorption of the organism. It was therefore concluded that it was possible to associate vitamin B12 levels and symptoms of depression.