Endocrine Abstracts

Background: Vitamin D is a growing endemic problem. Wide proportions of healthy adults are deficient in vitamin D. It is very important for skeletal and non-skeletal health. It is now well established that many people have vitamin D levels that are less than currently recommended for optimal health

Aim of this work: To assess vitamin-D sufficiency/deficiency in a sample of healthy Egyptian adult males in Dakahlia Governorate in Northern Egypt and correlate it to social status, Sun exposure and Vitamin D intake in food.

Subjects and methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted on 90 healthy Males selected randomly from the relatives of patients in Outpatient Clinics and Internal Medicine Departement of El-Gamalia General Hospital. Medical History, Dietary Questionnaire and Sun exposure Questionnaire were taken from all participants who were clinically examined as well. Laboratory investigations including hemoglobin, serum creatinine, ionized calcium were measured in all subjects and 25-(OH) vitamin D was measured in 57 subjects.

Results: Forty four out of 57 subjects (77%) had deficient vitamin D levels (<20 ng/ml), eight (14%) had insufficient levels (21–30 ng/ml) and five (9%) had sufficient levels (>30 ng/ml). 55.6% of our subjects had moderate intake of vitamin D rich foods while 18.9% had high intake and 25.6% had low intake. Fifty three subjects had indoor occupations while 37 subjects had outdoor occupation. Sun exposure was found to be positively and significantly correlated with vitamin D levels, (R=0.37, P value 0.005). Vitamin D was positively and significantly correlated to sun exposure in case of moderate intake of vitamin D rich foods only, (R 0.419, P value 0.021) and for indoor activities, (R 0.451, P value 0.005). Multiple regression analysis showed that intake of vitamin D rich foods was an independent predictor for vitamin D level.

Conclusion: Our results show a high rate of hypo-vitaminosis D in adult Egyptian Males in Dakahlia Governorate.