THE EFFECT OF VITAMIN D ON THE SEVERITY OF DEPRESSION IN PATIENTS WITH RHEUMATOID ARTHRITIS

Objective: to study the dependence of depressive disorders in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) on vitamin D deficiency in blood serum. Material and methods. 88 women were examined (mean age - 54.2 ± 12.0 years, disease duration - 9.0 [3.5; 16.0] years) with a reliable diagnosis of RA. An enzyme immunoassay was used to determine the 25(OH)D in the serum of patients with RA. Depression was assessed using the Beck scale. Results. In 89.8% of patients, an insufficient level of 25(OH)D was detected in the serum. The presence of depression was observed in 66% of patients with RA. A negative correlation of average power (r = -0.38) was found between the the level of 25(OH)D and the severity of depression. A negative correlation of average power (r = -0.38) was found between the the level of 25(OH)D and the severity of depression. The relationship between 25(OH)D and ESR (r = 0.29), depression and intake (r = 0.22) and dose (r = 0.26) of corticosteroid hormones, the number of painful joints (r = 0.25) indicates on the involvement of these predictors and their mutual influence in metabolic and psychological processes in RA. Vitamin D is indirectly involved in inflammatory changes and central sensitization, which provokes psychological disorders in patients with RA. Conclusion. Correction of the deficiency of 25(OH)D can positively affect the reduction of the severity of depression and pain in RA.