A perspective on the relationship between eveningness and schizophrenia through the mediation of vitamin D

This study investigates the relationship between chronotype and schizophrenia, focusing on the mediating role of vitamin D. A cross-sectional design was used, involving 51 schizophrenia patients and 53 healthy controls. Participants completed the Morningness-Eveningness Questionnaire (MEQ), and their vitamin D levels were measured. Schizophrenia patients exhibited significantly lower MEQ scores and vitamin D levels than controls. A mediation analysis revealed that vitamin D levels partially mediated the relationship between MEQ scores and the presence of schizophrenia. Lower MEQ scores, indicating an evening chronotype, were associated with reduced vitamin D levels, which, in turn, correlated with an increased likelihood of schizophrenia. However, no significant associations were found between vitamin D levels and symptom severity (measured by PANSS scores). These findings highlight the potential interplay between chronotype and vitamin D in schizophrenia, suggesting that addressing circadian disruptions and vitamin D deficiency could enhance therapeutic strategies for schizophrenia..