Objectives: A case–control observational study to investigate the correlation between serum vitamin B12 levels and depressive symptoms’ severity using the Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (HDRS17) in 60 individuals with clinical depression and 60 healthy controls. Material and Methods: Participants aged 20–70 were diagnosed with major depressive disorder as per the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders-5, and severity was assessed using HDRS. Measurement of serum vitamin B12 levels using standard biochemical assays. Results: Significant correlation found between lower vitamin B12 levels and higher HDRS scores (Chi-square value = 24.87, P < 0.001). A weak positive association was found between age and depression severity. Conclusion: Lower vitamin B12 levels are prevalent in the depressed cohort compared to healthy controls, and suggest vitamin B12’s role as a biomarker in depressive disorders.
Gupta et al. (Fri,) studied this question.