scholarly journals Air pollutants are negatively associated with vitamin D-synthesizing UVB radiation intensity on the ground

2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Abdur Rahman ◽  
Abdirashid Elmi

AbstractAtmospheric levels of pollutants may reduce the UVB intensity at the earth’s surface, with a subsequent reduction in cutaneous vitamin D synthesis. We investigated the association of various pollutants with UVB intensity on the ground. Four-year data obtained from four weather stations from across Kuwait were analyzed by median regression. Pollutants that were negatively associated with UVB were [β (95% CI)]: benzene [− 2.61 (− 4.13, − 1.09)], ethyl-benzene [− 2.20 (− 3.15, − 1.25)], ozone [− 0.23 (− 0.28, − 0.17)], nitric oxide [− 0.11 (− 0.15, − 0.06)], sulfur dioxide [− 0.10 (− 0.17, − 0.04)] and particulate matter PM10 [− 0.002 (− 0.003, − 0.002)]. Pollutants that were negatively associated with the UVB/UVA ratio were [β (95% CI)]: benzene [− 15.57 (− 24.94, − 6.20)], nitric oxide [− 0.53 (− 0.81, − 0.25)], ozone [− 0.38 (− 0.70, − 0.06)], and total hydrocarbon [− 0.02 (− 0.04, − 0.01)]. Furthermore, benzene and nitric oxide levels were higher in the morning and evening hours, which are the times of most solar exposure in this region due to high temperature during midday. In addition to other known factors, attenuation of UVB by these pollutants may contribute to lower vitamin D levels in populations. In addition to direct public health hazard, these pollutants may contribute to the very high prevalence of VDD in this region.

2020 ◽  
Vol 16 (7) ◽  
pp. 1015-1027
Author(s):  
Mohammad Bagherniya ◽  
Zahra Khorasanchi ◽  
Mina S. Bidokhti ◽  
Gordon A. Ferns ◽  
Mitra Rezaei ◽  
...  

Background: Vitamin D deficiency is a common medical condition worldwide. In Iran, it has been reported that between 30-90% of people have vitamin D deficiency. However, its distribution in different parts of the country and among different age and regional groups is unclear. Therefore, the aim of this study was to review the recent literature on vitamin D deficiency in Iran. Methods: The literature review was performed using Web of Science, PubMed-Medline, Scopus and Scientific Information Database (SID) with a cut-off date of November 2016 to identify articles on vitamin D status in Iran published in the last 10 years. Studies in English and Persian that reported vitamin D levels in male and female subjects of all age groups and in healthy populations were included. Results: From 325 studies that were initially retrieved, 82 articles met the inclusion criteria. A high prevalence of vitamin D deficiency was reported, and in some regions, this was reported as >90% and was found in all age groups and in all regions of Iran. Conclusion: This review highlights the very high prevalence of vitamin D deficiency in Iran. It will be important to recognize the importance of vitamin D deficiency as a major public health problem in Iran.


2019 ◽  
Vol 6 (2) ◽  
pp. 867
Author(s):  
Ayyappan Anitha ◽  
Suresh A. Poovathinal ◽  
Vijitha Viswambharan ◽  
Ismail Thanseem ◽  
Mahesh M. Vasu ◽  
...  

Background: Authors examined serum vitamin D status among the healthy school children belonging to the south Indian state of Kerala.Methods: A cross-sectional study, participants were recruited through medical camps organized in Thrissur and Palakkad districts of central Kerala during the months of March and April 2017. A 174 healthy school children (98 males and 76 females) aged 5-13 years were recruited for the study. The children were found to be healthy on the basis of physical examination by a Paediatrician. None of the children had any symptoms of skeletal deformities. All the children were drug-naive. Data on height, weight, skin color, food habits, physical activities and socio-economic status were recorded. A 2ml of peripheral blood samples were collected from the participants. Total vitamin D in the serum was estimated by chemiluminescence immunoassay (CLIA).Results: VDD was observed in 60.92% and insufficiency in 30.46% of the participants. Only 8.62% of the participants had normal vitamin D levels. The mean vitamin D level was 19.93 ng/ml. Males had significantly higher vitamin D levels compared to females. Factors such as age, height, weight, diet, skin color and socio-economic status did not influence vitamin D levels.Conclusions: This is the first study of vitamin D status among the school-age children of Kerala. This paper adds further evidence to the reports indicating high prevalence of subclinical VDD among children across India and calls for action.


2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hiroto Minamino ◽  
Masao Katsushima ◽  
Mie Torii ◽  
Wataru Yamamoto ◽  
Yoshihito Fujita ◽  
...  

Abstract Sarcopenia is an age-related disease with an increased risk of mortality. It is emerging that low serum vitamin D (25(OH)D) affects the sarcopenic state in general, but in rheumatoid arthritis (RA), these associations are not understood although the prevalence of vitamin D insufficiency is high in RA. We conducted a cross-sectional study of older female outpatients from our cohort (KURAMA) database. We measured skeletal muscle mass, handgrip strength, and gait-speed to diagnose severe sarcopenia. The serum 25(OH)D concentration was measured using electrochemiluminescence immunoassay. A total of 156 Patients (sarcopenia:44.9%, severe sarcopenia: 29.5%, and without sarcopenia: 25.6%) were enrolled. Classification of vitamin D status at a cutoff point of median 25(OH)D concentration revealed that low 25(OH)D status was associated with a high prevalence of severe sarcopenia and with low measured values of muscle mass, handgrip, and gait-speed. Furthermore, multiple regression analysis identified that low 25(OH)D status was associated with a high prevalence of severe sarcopenia (OR 6.00; 95% CI 1.99–18.08). In components of sarcopenia, both low physical performance and muscle mass were associated with low 25(OH) status. In conclusion, vitamin D levels are associated with severe sarcopenia and its components, and modification of vitamin D status including vitamin D supplementation may play a role in improving sarcopenia in RA.


Aim – To compare vitamin D levels between Tb infected and non-infected subjects in 16-25 years of age. Methods – Tb patients (16-25 years) from low income group were identified from the DOT centres in Pitampura, subjects were interviewed through questionnaire method, analysis of vitamin D content of identified patients and non infected subjects were done and finally assessment of relationship between vitamin D and non infected subjects. Results- The population included 30 patients infected with Tb and 30 subjects who are non-infected, which have been tested for vitamin D. When results were compared with healthy control group it was found that vitamin D was relatively low i.e. p- <0.001.There is a high prevalence of VDD in this population. Conclusion- vitamin D deficiency is positively and significantly co related with Tb. In the present study, general population itself established to be extremely deficient in Vitamin D. Hence; this is very difficult to delineate relation within VITAMIN D and TB. In future, a multicentre study with a large size of sample needs to be carried out to elicit a relation within vitamin D status and TB.


2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Anna Liori ◽  
Damaskini Polychroni ◽  
Georgios K Markantes ◽  
Maria Stamou ◽  
Sarantis Livadas ◽  
...  

Adequate vitamin D levels are particularly important in pregnant women for both the maternal and neonatal health. Prior studies have shown a significantly high prevalence of vitamin D deficiency (VDD) among refugees. However, no study has addressed the prevalence of VDD in pregnant refugees and its effects on neonatal health. In this study, we examined the prevalence of VDD in refugee pregnant women living in Greece and compared our results with Greek pregnant inhabitants. Vitamin D deficiency was frequent in both groups but was significantly more common in refugees (92.2% vs 67.3% of Greek women, p=0.003) with 70.6% of refugees having severe hypovitaminosis D (<10 ng/ml). As a result, most newborns had Vitamin D deficiency, which affected refugee newborns to a greater extent. Our results suggest a need to screen newcomer children and pregnant women for vitamin D deficiency in all host countries around the world. Such a screen will appropriately guide early and effective interventions with the goal to prevent adverse neonatal and maternal outcomes.


2021 ◽  
Vol 20 (2) ◽  
pp. 74-78
Author(s):  
Shaheda Ahmed ◽  
Mohammed Jalal Uddin ◽  
Nayeema Tasnim

Background : Vitamin D is an essential nutrient and deficiency of it leads to devastating disorders. This study aimed to find out the associated factors with selected variables of low vitamin D among adult females of Chattogram. Materials and methods : Cross-sectional observational study was conducted from September 2019 to February 2020 at a diagnostic complex of Chattogram. Participants were adult females of Chattogram. All participants gave oral informed consent and answered a questionnaire that included 16 questions covering demographic information, monthly income, educational status, occupation, body weight, duration of sun exposure, dress pattern (Using hijab or burkha, regular dress-up) drug and disease history. Blood samples were collected by cautious aseptic procedure. Serum vitamin D levels were measured by using immunoassay method. Adult females of Chattogram with no religious restrictions, n= 150,aged 31 to 70 years. Results: Overall, 88% had low vitamin D levels with deficient 60.66% and insufficient 27.34%. Sufficient level of vitamin D was found only among 12%. The prevalence of vitamin D deficiency was much higher in females with house-wife status 73.33% (p value of 0.0001) wearing hijab 46.66% (p value of 0.001). It could be due to interference with UVB radiation into skin, short duration of sun exposure, use of sunblock cream or less supplementary intake. Conclusion : Vitamin D deficiency is an emerging but neglected health issue in modern time, particularly more vulnerable are female population. Ironically, abundant sunlight of Bangladesh seems failed to protect the self-imposed concrete prisoner, classically known as home-makers, and practitioner of indoor life style that leads to avoidance of sun light. However, large sample size is mandatory to boost-up the findings of current study. Chatt Maa Shi Hosp Med Coll J; Vol.20 (2); July 2021; Page 74-78


Author(s):  
Anu Bala Chandel ◽  
Rita Mittal ◽  
Anoop Sharma ◽  
Shivika Mittal ◽  
Poonam Samyal

Background: Vitamin D has an increasingly recognised repertoire of non-classical actions, such as promoting insulin action and secretion, immune modulation and lung development. It therefore has the potential to influence many factors in the developing fetus. Several studies reported the relationship between maternal vitamin D deficiency and adverse maternal and fetal outcomes including gestational diabetes, preeclampsia, preterm labour, low birth weight and increased rate of caesarean section. The present study was undertaken to study the prevalence of vitamin D deficiency in antenatal women of Shimla, India.Methods: The study was conducted in the department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Kamla Nehru Hospital, Shimla, India over a period of 12 months. Six hundred women were included in the study.Results: Out of 600 subjects, 568 (94.67%) subjects had vitamin D deficiency and only 32 (5.33%) subjects had sufficient vitamin D levels. Vitamin D deficiency was more common in the vegetarians, dark skinned subjects and in those who were taking vitamin D supplements.Conclusions: It is concluded from this study that there is high prevalence of vitamin D deficiency in antenatal women of Shimla, India.


2019 ◽  
Vol 78 (2) ◽  
pp. 115-133 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yandara A Martins ◽  
Camila A E F Cardinali ◽  
Maria Ida Ravanelli ◽  
Kellen Brunaldi

Abstract Context Recent findings have suggested a high prevalence of vitamin D deficiency or insufficiency in fibromyalgia (FM) patients despite the lack of clinical and pathophysiological evidence. Objective A systematic review was conducted to examine the association between vitamin D status and FM, including the effect of vitamin D supplementation. Data source PubMed, LILACS, Scopus, SciELO, Cochrane, and EMBASE were searched, from January 2000 to July 2018, using the descriptors “Fibromyalgia” and “Vitamin D.” Study selection Trials including FM patients in whom vitamin D levels were assessed were eligible for inclusion. Data extraction Data comprised age, gender, country, aims, bias, diagnosis criteria, cutoff point, and status of vitamin D, together with FM symptoms and vitamin D supplementation protocol. Results A total of 26 articles were selected. Most of the studies were found to present unreliable control groups and small samples. Experimental data on vitamin D supplementation indicated improvement in certain FM symptoms. Conclusion Prevalence of hypovitaminosis D in the FM population and the cause-effect relationship were inconclusive. Nevertheless, vitamin D supplementation may be considered as a co-adjuvant in FM therapy.


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