BES2002 Poster Presentations Bone (11 abstracts)
Endocrinology and Metabolism Research Center, Tehran, Iran.
Osteoporosis is one of the most common bone diseases whose complications, morbitidy and mortality impose direct and indirect expenses. Vitamin-D is one of the most important factors in calcium absorption for bone formation. In this study we have evaluated vit-D level and other calcium metabolism indicators in urban population of Tehran.
In a cross-sectional study in winter 2001, 1231 normal persons; 20-69 years, 502 male and 724 female, among urban population of Tehran were selected by random cluster sampling. A questionnaire was filled out and a blood sample was drawn for vit-D, Ca, P, Alk.Ph and PTH for each person. All the confounding factors with vit-D and calcium were considered.
The crude prevalence of vit-D deficiency was 57.1%; 61.6% in women and 50.4% in men (P<0.05). The rate of vit-D deficiency decreased significantly with age (67.1% in 20-29 years vs 41.3% in > 60 years (P<0.05)). 12.1% of persons with vit-D deficiency had hypophosphatemia and 3.6% had hyperphosphatasemia. Also 11% of them had hypocalcemia. 82% of persons with high PTH had vit-D deficiency.
Vit-D deficiency is significant in urban population of Tehran. This deficiency is more prominent in younger women which may be due to life style, diet or air pollution. Complications of vit-D deficiency i.e. osteoporosis and osteomalacia, indicate planning for preventive measures such as food fortification and modifications in life style.