scholarly journals Vitamin D Deficiency—A Clinical Spectrum: Is There a Symptomatic Nonosteomalacic State?

2010 ◽  
Vol 2010 ◽  
pp. 1-6 ◽  
Author(s):  
Amar Kanekar ◽  
Manoj Sharma ◽  
V. R. Joshi

Vitamin D deficiency is not uncommon even in the sunny land of India. Lack of sun exposure and inadequate oral intake are both responsible for vitamin D deficiency. This article provides a retrospective, examining the effects of Vitamin D deficiency in 71 patients. The study's inclusion criterion was low vitamin D level combined with musculoskeletal symptoms but without the presence of osteomalacia. All patients in this study were suspected to have vitamin D deficiency. The data were retrieved from the case-charts of patients seen between 1996 and 2001 at the rheumatology services of Hinduja Hospital, Mumbai, India. This study found no correlation between Vitamin D levels and symptoms, or between the severity of Vitamin D deficiency and the number of symptoms displayed. Subclinical vitamin D deficiency or preosteomalacic state was the term coined for individuals with vitamin D deficiency producing nonspecific musculoskeletal symptoms in the absence of clinical osteomalacia.

2019 ◽  
Vol 2019 ◽  
pp. 1-4 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tauseef Akhtar ◽  
Ramesh Aggarwal ◽  
Sachin Kumar Jain

Background. Vitamin D, a fat-soluble vitamin, has various extraskeletal effects, and several human and animal studies have suggested that vitamin D deficiency may be a contributory factor in the pathogenesis of coronary artery disease (CAD). However, such studies in the Indian subcontinent are either lacking or have shown conflicting results. Methods. This was a descriptive cross-sectional study involving 121 patients with CAD from a tertiary care center and their 80 age-matched healthy controls. Serum vitamin D levels along with serum and urine chemistries were measured in both the groups. The average duration of sun exposure/day and use of sunscreen were also considered in the study cohort using a questionnaire. Serum vitamin D levels were categorized into deficient (<30 nmol/lit), insufficient (30–75 nmol/lit), and sufficient (>75 nmol/lit) groups. Results. Among the cases, 51.2% of the patients were vitamin D deficient and 44.6% patients had insufficient vitamin D levels, whereas among controls, 40% and 31% of the population had deficient and insufficient levels of vitamin D, respectively. However, the mean value of the serum vitamin D level was not statistically different in the cases as compared to that of the controls (34.06 vs 40.19 nmol/lit) (P=0.08). Corrected serum calcium (9.26 vs 9.59 mg%) (P≤0.0001) and serum albumin levels (4.21 vs 4.75 gm%) (P≤0.0001) were lower in the cases than those of the controls. The average sun exposure/day was higher among the cases than that among the controls (2.93 vs 1.85 hours) (P=0.001). Conclusion. Vitamin D deficiency is widely prevalent in Indian population despite abundant sunshine, and the duration of sun exposure is not correlated with serum vitamin D levels. Vitamin D deficiency is not associated with CAD. However, serum calcium is deficient in CAD patients as compared to the controls. Large-scale studies are required to explore the association further to evaluate the benefits of screening and correction of vitamin D deficiency in patients with CAD.


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


2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Shyamajit Samaddar ◽  
Manvi Singh ◽  
Joseph Mathew ◽  
Naresh Sachdeva ◽  
Meenu Singh

Abstract Aim: To study the vitamin D levels in toddlers with recurrent wheezing.Methods: In this prospective observational study, 108 children aged 1-3 years with recurrent wheezing and 41 healthy age and sex matched controls were included. The clinical, demographic, socio-economic, food habits, and sun exposure of both the groups were assessed. The serum levels of vitamin D were measured and Asthma predictive index (API) of all the cases was calculated. Spearman or Pearson correlation coefficients were used to see relationship of different variables with Vitamin D.Results: Among 108 cases and 41 controls we enrolled, majority of them had vitamin D deficiency or insufficiency. The difference in vitamin D levels in the two groups was not statistically significant (p=0.0619). We found no significant difference in the vitamin D levels between, urban and rural population, vegetarians and non-vegetarians, adequately and inadequately sun light exposed children. There was also no correlation between the vitamin D levels and the number of wheezing episodes in the last 1 year. There was no significant correlation between the number of criteria of API positive and the vitamin D levels.Conclusion: Our study showed that the overall prevalence of vitamin D deficiency is very high among toddlers with recurrent wheezing. We conclude that vitamin D rich diet and sunlight exposure cannot prevent vitamin D deficiency in Indian toddlers. National programme for universal supplementation of vitamin D is required to control this epidemic of vitamin D deficiency.


2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Fui Chee Woon ◽  
Yit Siew Chin ◽  
Intan Hakimah Ismail ◽  
Marijka Batterham ◽  
Amir Hamzah Abdul Latiff ◽  
...  

AbstractBackgroundDespite perennial sunshine, vitamin D deficiency is prevalent among Malaysian especially pregnant women.ObjectiveTo determine the vitamin D status and its associated factors among third trimester pregnant women attending government health clinics in Selangor and Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.MethodsInformation on socio-demographic characteristics, obstetrical history, vitamin D intake, supplement use, and sun exposure were obtained through face-to-face interviews. Serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D concentration was measured and classified as deficient (< 30 nmol/L), insufficient (30-50 nmol/L), and sufficient (≥ 50 nmol/L).ResultsOf the 535 pregnant women recruited, 42.6% were vitamin D deficient. They consumed an average of 8.7 ± 6.7 μg of vitamin D daily. A total of 80.4% of the vitamin D were obtained from the food sources, while 19.6% were from dietary supplements. Fish and fish products showed the highest contribution to vitamin D intake (35.8%). The multivariate generalized linear mixed models, with clinic as a random effect, indicates that higher intake of vitamin D is associated with lower risk of vitamin D deficiency among pregnant women (OR = 0.96; 95% CI = 0.93-0.99). Non-Malay pregnant women had lower odds of having vitamin D deficiency (OR = 0.13; 95% CI = 0.04-0.37) compared to Malays. No associations were found between age, educational level, monthly household income, work status, gravidity, parity, pre-pregnancy body mass index, total hours of sun exposure, total percentage of body surface area, and sun exposure index per day with vitamin D deficiency.ConclusionsVitamin D deficiency is prevalent among Malaysian pregnant women. Considering the possible adverse obstetric and fetal outcomes of vitamin D deficiency during pregnancy, antenatal screening of vitamin D levels and nutrition education should be emphasised by taking into consideration ethnic differences.


2016 ◽  
Vol 64 (1) ◽  

Introduction: Vitamin D deficiency is very prevalent in world population and growing evidence shows that also athletes are affected. Vitamin D deficiency causes beside bone disorders, musculoskeletal pain, muscle weakness and is associated with many other health disorders. For athletes in particular it may impair training and performance, prolong recovery and increase risk of injury. We therefore analyzed vitamin D levels in Swiss athletes focusing on prevalence according to age, gender, seasonal variations, indoor or outdoor sports, sunscreen use and vitamin D supplementation. Methods: This study was performed in a convenient sample of 655 Swiss Olympic athletes over one year. Blood samples were obtained and a questionnaire was filled in at Swiss Olympic Medical Centers or Bases during an annual routine exam. Data were then sent to the central laboratory of the Aarau hospital where they were processed and sent to us in an anonymized version. Vitamin D levels were categorized into deficiency (≤ 50 nmol/l), insufficiency (between 50 and 75 nmol/l) and adequate levels (> 75 nmol/l) of 25-hydroxyvitamin D. By means of the questionnaire, we assessed age, gender, type of sport, symptoms possibly related to vitamin D deficiency during the last year, frequency of sunscreen use and vitamin D-containing medications of the athletes. Results: 13.5% of the participants (total number = 651) presented a vitamin D deficiency, 37.8% a vitamin D insufficiency so that more than half of the athletes (51.2%) had inadequate vitamin D levels. Inadequate vitamin D levels were more prevalent in younger athletes, during seasons with lower sun exposure, in indoor sports during the sun deprived seasons, in athletes without vitamines supplementation and in athletes of lower Swiss Olympic classes compared to their counterparts. Conclusions: The results of the study show that the prevalence of inadequate vitamin D levels in Swiss athletes is substantial for younger athletes (< 18 years of age) and for indoor athletes during sun deprived periods of the year. However, a general vitamin supplementation containing vitamin D reduced the prevalence of vitamin D inadequacy which is especially relevant during sun deprived seasons.


2017 ◽  
Vol 2017 ◽  
pp. 1-7 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yangshen Lhamo ◽  
Preeta Kaur Chugh ◽  
Sandhya R. Gautam ◽  
C. D. Tripathi

Vitamin D deficiency is prevalent across all age groups in epidemic proportions. The purpose of this study was to acquire a baseline assessment and create awareness among medical students regarding vitamin D. A cross-sectional, voluntary survey was conducted among undergraduate medical students. Data were collected using a questionnaire which assessed the level of knowledge students had with regard to where vitamin D comes from, what it does for health, how much is recommended, factors that affect its levels, and deficiency management. Majority of students were unaware that vitamin D deficiency has attained epidemic proportions. Though bone and skeletal disorders as a complication of vitamin D deficiency were known, a large number were unaware of systemic consequences (diabetes mellitus, cardiovascular diseases, and cancers). Only one-third of respondents were aware of duration and timing of sun exposure required for adequate serum vitamin D levels. However, we observed lack of awareness among students regarding the various biochemical forms, dose, and duration of vitamin D supplementation for treatment of nutritional deficiency. Our study highlighted a lack of knowledge about the importance of vitamin D, worldwide prevalence of vitamin D deficiency, and its management among medical students. Promoting vitamin D health awareness, if replicated across populations, could lead to positive health outcomes globally.


BJPsych Open ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 7 (S1) ◽  
pp. S73-S74
Author(s):  
Emma Davies ◽  
Lucy Mountford

AimsWe aimed to determine whether vitamin D is being tested on admission for psychiatric inpatients at a local inpatient hospital, to identify the level of vitamin D for this group and to establish whether vitamin D treatment provided is according to NICE guidance.Emerging evidence suggests that psychiatric patients are more vulnerable to vitamin D deficiency, due to reduced sun exposure, social isolation, long inpatient stays and poor diet. Low vitamin D levels may also increase susceptibility to SARS CoV-2 infection and COVID-19 severity.MethodStandards were determined by local policies, RCPsych recommendations and NICE guidance. Data were collected retrospectively from electronic patient records and entered manually to a spreadsheet for analysis.Result67% of patients had vitamin D tested on admission to hospital. Of the patients that had their vitamin D level tested, 39% patients had their result recorded. 48% either had a low vitamin D level or required replacement. 6 of 12 patients with a documented low vitamin D level had the correct vitamin D treatment, according to NICE guidance.ConclusionOf 46 patient records, nearly half had a documented low vitamin D level or were on treatment. We would therefore suggest that vitamin D testing should form part of the routine admission bloods. It is an important opportunity to detect deficiency or insufficiency for a potentially vulnerable group of patients. Intervention is simple and effective.Results demonstrated room for improvement for vitamin D testing on admission to hospital, thus improving potential treatment and benefits for individual patients. The importance of recording blood results on to the electronic patient record was also highlighted.We raised awareness and provided further education to all junior doctors, with creative posters and informative communications. Following the implementation of these changes a re-audit of 40 patients showed 75% had vitamin D tested on admission or during and of these, 58% either had a low vitamin D level or required replacement. 7 of 9 patients with a documented low vitamin D level had the correct vitamin D treatment, according to NICE guidance. Within this closed loop audit, we have reported moderate improvement in the testing of vitamin D for patients on admission to hospital along with a significant improvement in the treatment of vitamin D deficiency, according to NICE guidance.


Author(s):  
ŞÜKRİYE TAŞÇI KARAGÖL ◽  
sevil turhan ◽  
Hulya Coskun ◽  
Yusuf Bostan ◽  
Raziye yıldız

Abstract Objective: Vitamin D is an essential vitamin for bone mineralization and its deficiency adversely affects many systems, predominantly the musculoskeletal system. A lack of synthesis in the skin is the key step that predominantly causes vitamin D deficiency. Vitamin D synthesis can be affected by numerous factors including geographical region of residence, seasons, monthly average daily global horizontal solar radiation (MADGHSR), monthly average daily sunshine duration (MADSD), ethnic group of the individual. The study aimed to investigate the relationship between vitamin D level and MADSD and MADGHSR values in young women. Methods: The retrospective study included women aged 15-45 years, who presented to Secondary Care Hospital for general health screening. Vitamin D levels were classified according to age groups, months, seasons, MADGHSR and MADSD values. Results: The mean vitamin D level was 17.3±7.3 ng/mL in summer and was 15.9±7.5 ng/mL in winter (p=0.001). Vitamin D deficiency (<20 ng/mL) was detected in 68.1% as opposed to 75.1% of women in summer and winter, respectively (p<0.001). A weak correlation was found between vitamin D level and age (r=0.082, p=0.002), MADGHSR (r=0.062, p=0.006), and MADSD (r=0.075, p=0.001). Conclusion: The individual and environmental factors with the MADGHSR, MADSD have a direct effect on sun exposure. The traditional and religious clothing habits of our participants constituted the most important factor contributing to their low vitamin D levels. We propose that routine vitamin D supplementation at optimal doses will be an appropriate approach in populations similar to the population studied in the present study.


2021 ◽  
Vol 319 ◽  
pp. 01097
Author(s):  
Sakhr Dadda ◽  
Karima Azekour ◽  
Fouzia Sebbari ◽  
Brahim El Houate ◽  
Bachir El Bouhali

Sunlight is the main source of vitamin D. Almost 80% of vitamin D3 is produced in the skin. The region of Draa Tafilalet benefits from long daily sunshine time. As such, vitamin D deficiency should be low in this region. However, dressing habits can highly influence vitamin D status. This study aimed to evaluate sun exposure and its relation to vitamin D status among the general population in the region of Draa-Tafilalet, Morocco. Clinical, biological, and sociodemographic data were obtained from 331 adults visiting local healthcare units during the summers of 2019 and 2020. Plasma 25(OH)D2/D3 was measured by immunofluorescence. The prevalence of vitamin D deficiency was 37.5%, while Vitamin D insufficiency represented 56.5%. Most of the studied population (76.4%) had restricting dressing habits and exposed only their faces. statistic tests showed a correlation of vitamin D levels with daily sun exposure (r= 0.308, p<0.001), dressing habits (p<0.001), age (r= -0.141, p=0.01), sex (p<0.001), physical activity level (p=0.003), and BMI (r= -0.298, p<0.001). The study showed a high prevalence of vitamin D deficiency in this region. Similarly, it exposed the effects of restricting clothes and low daily sun exposure on vitamin D status.


2021 ◽  
Vol 2 (1) ◽  
pp. 4
Author(s):  
Abdul Latif Khattak ◽  
Abdul Moueed Tariq ◽  
Syed Karamat Hussain Shah Bukhari ◽  
Shahzeb Ahmad Satti ◽  
Raffi ud Din ◽  
...  

Objective: To determine frequency of vitamin D deficiency in female patients presenting with non-specific musculoskeletal symptoms.Study Design: Descriptive cross sectional.Place and Duration of Study: The study was conducted in Medical Outpatient Department (OPD), Combined Military Hospital (CMH) Quetta from 30th November 2018 to 30th May 2019.Materials and Methods: A total of 150 female patients with nonspecific musculoskeletal symptoms were included. Patients on vitamin D supplements, osteopenia, osteoporosis, chronic kidney disease, neuropathies, cancers, diabetes mellitus, iron and Vitamin B12 deficiency were excluded. Data including gender, age and presence of bone pain, muscle aches, bone tenderness and fracture was collected. SPSS v 17 was used for data analysis. Chi-square test was applied to test for associations,  p value less than 0.05 was taken as significant.Results: The mean age was 37.20 + 13.30 years. Mean Vitamin D levels were 14.89 + 7.76 ng/ml with range from 3.10 to 35.67ng/ml. Participants with vitamin D3 < 10 ng/ml were 24% (n=36), < 20 ng/ml were 54% (n= 81), <30 ng/ml were 12 % (n=18) and only 10 % (n= 15) had optimal Vitamin D3 levels. Among the study population 82% (n=123) had bone pains, 88.6% (n=33) had muscle aches and weakness, 72.66% (n=109) had bone tenderness while only 4% (n=6) had fractures. There was a statistically significant association between symptoms and vitamin D3 deficiency with p value <0.001.Conclusion: This study showed that vitamin D deficiency is prevalent in our female populationand it presents with nonspecific musculoskeletal symptoms.


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