Endocrine Abstracts

Background and objectives

Around 50% of the population is affected with vitamin D insufficiency worldwide. The increasing prevalence is attributed to change in lifestyle, reduced exposure to sunlight and other environment factors. Vitamin D has multiple actions in the body including calcium homeostasis and has impact on several biologic processes with several clinical implications including obesity, diabetes mellitus, and metabolic syndrome, cancer, cardiovascular disease and immune function. Studies on factors associated with vitamin D deficiency and its complications in local setting are lacking. We have studied the vitamin D status, associated factors and outcome of patients.

Methods

A descriptive cross sectional study was conducted from March/ 2019 to March/ 2020 at the Endocrinology Unit of the National Hospital of Sri Lanka. Consecutive sampling was done recruiting all patients who have had vitamin D assessment as part of the routine medical care. Interviewer administered questionnaire was used collect data. Vitamin D sufficiency, insufficiency and deficiency was defined on levels of >50 ng/ml, 20–30 ng/ml, <20 ng/ml respectively. Categorical and numerical variables were analysed using Chi-square and independent sample t-tests respectively.

Results

153 subjects who meets the inclusion and exclusion criteria were recruited in to the study over a period of one year. Out of the study population, majority were females (85.6%). The population mean age was 52.1 (S.D. ± 14.38) years and ranged from 18 to 89 years. The mean weight was 59.4 (S.D. ± 15.70) kg and BMI was 31.3 (S.D. ± 7.54) kg/m^-2. Out of the whole population 58.8% had vitamin D deficiency while 31.4% suffered from vitamin D insufficiency. Only 9.8% had the values within the normal range. The mean vitamin D status of the population is 9.8 ng/ml. Pearson chi square was significant in the frequency of fish/ meat intake/per week, screen time per day with vitamin D category. Multiple Linear Regression Analysis was carried out to determine the predictors of vitamin D status. Out of the possible factors skin colour had a significant association with vitamin D insufficiency and deficiency (F = 4.355, P<0.05).

Conclusions

Majority of the patients who has undergone vitamin D level assessment in the study setting had Vitamin D levels in the deficient or insufficient range. The skin color, frequency of fish/ meat intake/per week and screen time per day had a positive association with the vitamin D status. Further large scale studies to recognize potential causes and outcomes are needed in the future.