Relationship between vitamin B12 levels and depression in patients applying to primary care

Vitamin B12 deficiency is one of the common health problems in our society. There are numerous publications showing a relationship between vitamin B12 deficiency and severe depression. This study was conducted to compare the sociodemographic characteristics, health perceptions, and depression levels of individuals with and without vitamin B12 deficiency. The study included 300 patients who presented with various complaints to a primary care center in Şanlıurfa, had blood tests performed, and among those tests, had their vitamin B12 levels measured. A total of 300 participants were included in the study, consisting of 200 women (66.7%) and 100 men (33.3%). The average age of the participants was 29.13±13.43 years, the average height was 165,86±10,26 cm, and the average weight was 70.35±14.73 kg. Participants were divided into two groups: those with vitamin B12 deficiency (150 individuals, 50%) and those with normal vitamin B12 levels (150 individuals, 50%). Study findings showed no significant difference in height, age and weight between vitamin B12 deficient and normal vitamin B12 groups (p>0.05).Regarding education level, the proportion of individuals with only primary education was higher in the B12-deficient group (56.8%), while the proportion of university graduates was significantly higher in the group with normal B12 levels (61.6%) (p<0.05). In terms of occupational distribution, most participants in the B12-deficient group were farmers (90%), whereas the majority in the normal B12 group were public servants (68.5%). When the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI) scores were examined, the average depression score in the B12-deficient group (14.25±11.49) was statistically significantly higher than that of the normal B12 group (8.45±6.66) (p<0.05). Additionally, participants with low physical activity levels had higher depression scores (p<0.05). Although there was no statistically significant difference between the groups in terms of chronic diseases, the prevalence of chronic illness was higher in the B12-deficient group. The findings indicate that individuals with low vitamin B12 levels had higher depression scores and lower health locus of control scores. Moreover, socioeconomic variables were found to be associated with vitamin B12 levels. In conclusion, vitamin B12 deficiency may have a negative impact on individuals' depression levels and health perception. Therefore, it is recommended that vitamin B12 levels be regularly monitored and appropriate interventions be made in cases of deficiency. However, attributing these effects solely to B12 deficiency may not be accurate. Thus, larger, prospective studies are needed to determine the potential benefits of vitamin B12 in the treatment of depression.