Assessment of Folate and Vitamin B12 Levels According to Gender in Psychiatric Patients in Şırnak Region

Abstract

The most severe and prevalent type of neuropsychiatric condition, which affects millions of people globally, is major depressive disorder. Our study's objective is to assess the levels of folate and vitamin B12 in outpatient mental patients in the province of Şırnak. The patients who applied to the Psychiatric Services of the state hospitals in the Şırnak region between January 1, 2021, and January 5, 2022 were found by conducting a retrospective search of the hospital databases for folate and vitamin B12 levels. Device reference ranges between 200-771 pg mL^-1 were accepted for the evaluation of vitamin B12 levels and 4.6-18.7 ng mL^-1 for the evaluation of folate levels. 9.6% of the males and 13.7% of the women who applied to the psychiatry service in Şırnak during the study period had B12 levels below 200 pg mL^-1, whereas 86.5% of the men and 84.3% of the women had B12 levels between 200 and 771 pg mL^-1. It was found that 3.8% of men and 2% of women were above 771 pg mL^-1. It was found that there was no significant difference in the statistical analysis results according to gender (P>0.05). In folate levels, 56.3% of male patients and 42.9% of females had folate levels below 4.6 ng mL^-1, while 43.7% of men and 50% of women had folate levels between 4.6-18.7 ng mL^-1. found. It was observed that there was no statistically significant difference in the folate levels of the patients according to gender (P>0.05). In our research, we were unable to find any evidence that the rate of vitamin B12 insufficiency is higher in psychiatric patients. Although the folate level was not statistically significant, it was found to be significant as a percentage. By changing serum levels of folate and vitamin B12, dietary habits may be linked to depression.