Vitamin D status in adults : a cross sectional study

Abstract EN

Background : High prevalence of hypovitaminosis D has been reported to be common in different regions of the Middle East.

Objective : The aim of this study is to examine vitamin D level in relation to age, sex, season, clothing and use of supplements among healthy adults.

Design : A cross-sectional study.

Setting : Blood Bank, Bahrain Defense Hospital.

Method : This study was performed from February 2011 to January 2012.

Vitamin D level was assessed in 500 healthy Bahrainis (250 males and 250 females) aged 15-65 years with no history of major organ diseases or any other health problems.

The prevalence of vitamin D deficiency and insufficiency was determined according to the ranges of 25-hyroxyvitamin D (25(OH)D) recommended by the Institute of Medicine, USA.

Result: The mean total serum of 25(OH)D was low (22.9 ± 10.1 nmol / L) and total serum of 25(OH)D concentrations in 49.4 %, 37.0 % and 13.6 % of the participants were having < 30.0 nmol/L (deficiency), between 30.0-50.0 nmol/L (insufficiency) and > 50.0 nmol / L (optimal).

Vitamin D deficiency was significantly higher in females 169 (67.6 %) than males 78 (31.2 %), p < 0.0001.

The prevalence of vitamin D deficiency among younger age group, < 30 years, 139 (53 %) was significantly higher than older age group, >30 years, 108 (45.4 %), p<0.001.

Vitamin D deficiency was significantly higher during October to March 121 (69.2 %) than April to September 41 (12.5 %), p < 0.0001.

In this study only 68 (13.6 %) had optimal level of vitamin D suggesting an alarming vitamin D deficiency in Bahrainis.

Conclusion: This is the first population-based study in Bahrain that indicates vitamin D deficiency.

It is recommended that fortification of food with vitamin D on a national basis is necessary to overcome such low levels of vitamin D in Bahrainis.