Vitamin D deficiency awareness among medical students of Unaizah College of Medicine, Qassim University, Saudi Arabia

AbstractVitamin D deficiency is an epidemic public health problem worldwide. It is common in the Middle East and is more severe in women. This cross-sectional study was conducted to assess vitamin D deficiency and associated risk factors in women living in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. Serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25(OH)D) was measured in 166 women aged 30–65 years. Socio-demographic, lifestyle and health status characteristics, as well as intake of selected dietary supplements, were collected. Weight and height were measured. Vitamin D deficiency (25(OH)D < 20 ng/mL) was reported in 60.2% of participants. Mean of serum 25(OH)D was 20.7 ng/mL. Older age and taking the supplements of vitamin D, multi-vitamins or calcium were identified as factors that associated with a lower risk of hypovitaminosis D. A national strategy is needed to control a hypovitaminosis D crisis in Saudi Arabia. This could be accomplished by raising public awareness regarding vitamin D, regulating and enhancing vitamin D fortification and supplementation and screening vitamin D status among women at high risk.

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Current Evidence on Vitamin D Deficiency and Metabolic Syndrome in Obese Children: What Does the Evidence from Saudi Arabia Tell Us?

Children ◽

10.3390/children5010011 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 5 (1) ◽

pp. 11 ◽

Cited By ~ 4

Author(s):

Asma Alaklabi ◽

Naser Alsharairi

Keyword(s):

Metabolic Syndrome ◽

Vitamin D ◽

Saudi Arabia ◽

Vitamin D Deficiency ◽

Current Evidence ◽

Obese Children

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Vitamin D Deficiency Rickets in Maternity and Children's Hospital, Makkah, Saudi Arabia

Annals of Saudi Medicine ◽

10.5144/0256-4947.1997.371 ◽

1997 ◽

Vol 17 (3) ◽

pp. 371-373 ◽

Cited By ~ 4

Author(s):

Adel A. Erfan ◽

Omar A. Nafie ◽

Abdul Aziz H. Neyaz ◽

Mohammed A. Hassanein

Keyword(s):

Vitamin D ◽

Saudi Arabia ◽

Vitamin D Deficiency ◽

Children's Hospital ◽

Children’S Hospital ◽

Deficiency Rickets

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Severe Proximal Myopathy with Remarkable Recovery after Vitamin D Treatment

Canadian Journal of Neurological Sciences / Journal Canadien des Sciences Neurologiques ◽

10.1017/s0317167100007083 ◽

2009 ◽

Vol 36 (03) ◽

pp. 336-339 ◽

Cited By ~ 41

Author(s):

Yousef A. Al-Said ◽

Hiyam S. Al-Rached ◽

Hussien A. Al-Qahtani ◽

Mohammed M.S. Jan

Keyword(s):

Vitamin D ◽

Saudi Arabia ◽

Vitamin D Deficiency ◽

Muscle Weakness ◽

Bound States ◽

Calcium Supplementation ◽

Lower Limbs ◽

Proximal Muscle Weakness ◽

Proximal Muscle ◽

Remarkable Recovery

Background:Osteomalacia is an uncommon cause of muscle weakness. Our objectives were to describe features of myopathy associated with Vitamin D deficiency and examine the contributing factors leading to osteomalacic myopathy in our region.Methods:Patients identified retrospectively for the six year period ending in December 2006 with the diagnosis of osteomalacia and/or Vitamin D deficiency associated proximal muscle weakness were included. They were followed in three major centers in western Saudi Arabia. Clinical, biochemical, radiological, and electrophysiological findings were collected before and after Vitamin D treatment by chart review.Results:Forty seven female patients aged 13-46 years (mean 23.5, SD 4.5) were included. All were veiled and covered heavily when outside the house for social and cultural reasons. Only eight (17%) had adequate varied diet with daily milk ingestion. All patients presented with progressive proximal muscle weakness lasting 6-24 months (mean 14) prior to our evaluation. The weakness was severe in six (13%) patients leading to wheel chair bound states. Associated musculoskeletal pain involving the back, hips, or lower limbs was common (66%). Osteomalcia was the referral diagnosis in only 11 patients and the remaining 36 (77%) patients were misdiagnosed. All patients had metabolic and radiological profiles suggestive of osteomalacia. Remarkable recovery was documented in all patients following oral cholecalciferol and calcium supplementation.Conclusions:Vitamin D deficiency is an important treatable cause of osteomalacic myopathy in Saudi Arabia. The diagnosis is frequently delayed or missed. Screening for Vitamin D deficiency in patients with acquired myopathy is needed to identify this treatable disorder.

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The Prevalence of Hypovitaminosis D and Its Associated Risk Factors Among Women of Reproductive Age in Saudi Arabia: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Clinical Medicine Insights Women s Health ◽

10.1177/1179562x18767884 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 11 ◽

pp. 1179562X1876788 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Riyadh A Alzaheb

Keyword(s):

Risk Factors ◽

Vitamin D ◽

Saudi Arabia ◽

Vitamin D Deficiency ◽

Meta Analysis ◽

Hypovitaminosis D ◽

Reproductive Age ◽

Vitamin D Status ◽

Women Of Reproductive Age ◽

Associated Risk Factors

Vitamin D deficiency is currently a worldwide epidemic. Middle Eastern countries, including Saudi Arabia, have high vitamin D deficiency prevalence, most prominently among women, despite their plentiful year-round sunshine. Previous research investigating vitamin D status among Saudi women of reproductive age (15-49 years) is scarce, and no study has used a nationally representative sample, so this review quantified overall hypovitaminosis D prevalence among women in Saudi Arabia and explored the associated risk factors. The Web of Science, Scopus, and Medline databases were searched for prior studies in Saudi Arabia exploring vitamin D status among women of reproductive age, published between January 1, 2000 and May 25, 2017. Data were extracted from the identified studies, and a random effects model meta-analysis established the overall hypovitaminosis D prevalence. The initial search yielded 223 possibly relevant articles; 13 were confirmed as eligible, with samples totaling 2877 women aged between 15 and 49 years. Meta-analysis revealed a mean serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D, 25(OH)D, level of 13.1 ng/mL (95% confidence interval [CI]: 11.6-14.6) and an overall prevalence of hypovitaminosis D, defined as 25(OH)D < 30 ng/mL, of 77.4% (95% CI: 63.2-87.3), mostly due to insufficient sunlight exposure and low dietary vitamin D intake. There is therefore a need for a national strategy to raise vitamin D levels among women in Saudi Arabia by advising them on natural vitamin D sources, and recommending the timing and duration of sun exposure, while also defining a national approach to vitamin D fortification and supplementation.

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