Endocrine Abstracts

Introduction: Hypovitaminosis D is a biochemical change with high prevalence among the population, especially in obese patients. Its function more known relates to bones metabolism, although recently, many functions have been described.

Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional study, which included women over 18 years old with BMI equal or superior of 25 kg/m². Anthropometric measurements were obtained: weight, height, BMI, waist circumference, hip circumference; presence of hypertension and/or metabolic syndrome were obtained by analysing the charts of patients in the study. The criteria for diagnosing hypovitaminosis D was established according to The Brazilian Society of Endocrinology and Metabology: levels ≤20 ng/dl means deficiency, 21–29 ng/dl are considered insufficiency and levels between 30 ng/dl and 100 ng/dl are normal.

Results: The sample consisted of 121 women with a mean age of 43±12 years, BMI of 37±6.5 kg/m², the waist/hip ratio of 0.86±0.09 and the abdominal circumference of 109±13 cm. The prevalence of obesity was 89.3%; 59% of the population were hypertensive and 20% diabetics. The mean of the level of vitamin D was 23.5±6 ng/dl. Hypovitaminosis D was observed in 84.6% of the population, 25.6% are vitamin D deficient and 59% are insufficient. The values of the biochemical in the groups obesity and overweight were respectively: 26.8±7 ng/dl and 23.1±6 (P=0.1) for vitamin D, 41.7 (26.4–37.4) pg/ml and 63.3 (P=0.03) for parathormone, 10.1±1 and 9.4±0.7 mg/dl (P=0.052) calcium and 3.8 mg/dl (P=0.84) in both groups for phosphorus. It was observed an inverse correlation between BMI and the levels of vitamin D (P=0.04).

Conclusion: The prevalence of hypovitaminosis among patients with excess of height is higher than in the general population. There is an inverse correlation between the levels of vitamin D and BMI.