Vitamin D Supplementation and Effects on Mood in Emergency Medicine Residents

Seasonal mood changes, and even feelings of depression, appear to have an association with decreased amounts of vitamin D in people living in geographic areas where exposure to sunlight during the winter months is relatively low. In this study, PGY-2 and PGY-3 Emergency Medicine residents at Lakeland Health will fill out PHQ-9 surveys for a total of 6 months (October-March), filled out at the end of each month. This is the time of year in southwest Michigan where exposure to direct sunlight is the lowest. The results of the individual surveys will be trended for the entire six months to see if individuals responds more positively after Vitamin D supplementation is initiated between months 3 and 4. Vitamin D supplementation will be 5000 units daily for the months of January-March.

Using the Patient Health Questionnaire 9 (PHQ-9) survey results, data will be analyzed to determine if vitamin D helped increase positive responses as it correlates to mood. Using the Patient Health Questionnaire - 9 to determine the severity of the depressive moods. (Scaled from 0-27 with higher numbers being more severe. 0-4 is minimal, 5-9 mild, 10-14 moderate, 15-19 moderately severe, 20-27 severe)

Inclusion Criteria: PGY-2 and PGY-3 Emergency Medicine Residents at Lakeland Health Exclusion Criteria: Nonresidents and PGY-1 and PGY-4 Emergency Medicine residents at Lakeland Health