In September 2018 researchers from China published the results of their study to assess the association between vitamin D status and depression in 442 individuals who had suffered a stroke. Vitamin D levels were measured on admission and 46% were found to have either vitamin D deficiency (under 30 nmol/L) or insufficiency (30-49.99 nmol/L). The number of individuals with vitamin D deficiency was higher during the winter months than the summer months. Stroke severity was assessed on discharge and one month later the individuals underwent assessment for depression. Results showed that the incidence of depression was significantly higher in those with vitamin D deficiency and insufficiency when compared to those with vitamin D sufficiency.
Gu Y et al. Vitamin D status and its association with season, depression in stroke. Neurosci Lett. 2018 Sep 24. [Epub ahead of print]