High prevalence and equal male to female vitamin d deficiency in the sunny central region of Saudi Arabia : a clinic-based study

Abstract EN

Objective : Bone diseases can be considered the tip of the vitamin D deficiency iceberg.

Our aim was to determine the frequency of vitamin D insufficiency / deficiency in patients in a primary health center, in Riyadh.

Methods : Clinic-based retrospective cross section study of patients between March 2012 through October 2013.

Vitamin D diffeciency / sufficiency was recently recommended by the Institute of Medicine (IOM), USA, as a (25OHD) level ≥ 30 ng / ml ; insufficiency, 20- < 30 ng / ml ; deficiency, 10- < 20 ng / ml ; and severe deficiency if < 10 ng / ml.

Results : Six hundred and sixty-four patients were enrolled in the study ; 82.6 % were females and 17.3 % were males.

Males represented only less than one fifth of the cases (17.3 %) in the general believe that they are less deficient than females.

Only 11.3 % of patients had normal vitamin D level, 10.8 % patients had vitamin D insufficiency, 31.0 % had vitamin D deficiency and 46.9 % had severe deficiency.

The general frequency of vitamin D insufficiency / deficiency was high 88.7 % (88.2 % females verses 91.3 % for males).

No significance was seen in comparing the different groups for both females and males and no significant difference in serum calcium, phosphorus and alkaline phosphatase between patients with normal versus insufficient / deficient vitamin D levels .

Conclusions : Vitamin D deficiency is common in Riyadh in Saudi Arabia, a sunny society and common in males as in females.

We may recommend more education for men as for women.

No additional benefit in screening for calcium, phosphorous and alkaline phoshatase to be added for vitamin D screening.