scholarly journals Vitamin D Status of the British African-Caribbean Residents: Analysis of the UK Biobank Cohort

Nutrients ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (11) ◽  
pp. 4104
Author(s):  
Rebecca M. Vearing ◽  
Kathryn H. Hart ◽  
Karen Charlton ◽  
Yasmine Probst ◽  
David J. Blackbourn ◽  
...  

The vitamin D status of the United Kingdom (UK) African-Caribbean (AC) population remains under-researched, despite an increased risk of vitamin D deficiency due to darker skin phenotypes and living at a high latitude. This cross-sectional study explored the vitamin D status and intake of AC individuals (n = 4046 with a valid serum 25(OH)D measurement) from the UK Biobank Cohort, aged ≥40 years at baseline (2006–2010). Over one third of the population were deficient (<25 nmol/L), 41.1% were insufficient (25–50 nmol/L) and 15.9% were sufficient (>50 nmol/L). Median (IQR) 25(OH)D was 30.0 (20.9) nmol/L. Logistic regression showed that brown/black skin phenotype, winter blood draw, not consuming oily fish and not using vitamin D supplements predicted increased odds of vitamin D deficiency, whilst older age and a summer or autumn blood draw were significantly associated with reduced odds of vitamin D deficiency. Vitamin D deficiency and insufficiency were prevalent in this AC population and is of considerable concern given the individual and societal implications of increased morbidity. Public health messaging for this group should focus on year-round vitamin D supplementation and increasing intakes of culturally appropriate vitamin D-rich foods. These data also support the urgent requirement for a revised vitamin D RNI for ethnic groups.

BMJ Open ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
pp. e038503
Author(s):  
Liang-Yu Lin ◽  
Liam Smeeth ◽  
Sinead Langan ◽  
Charlotte Warren-Gash

ObjectiveNo recent large studies have described the distribution of vitamin D status in the UK. Understanding the epidemiology of vitamin D deficiency is important to inform targeted public health recommendations. This study aimed to investigate the distribution of factors associated with serum vitamin D status in a large national cohort.DesignA cross-sectional study.SettingThe UK Biobank, a prospective cohort study following the health and well-being of middle-aged and older adults recruited between 2006 and 2010.ParticipantsA total of 449 943 participants aged 40–69 years with measured serum vitamin D status were eligible for the analysis. Participants completed a questionnaire about sex, age, ethnic background, vitamin D supplementation, smoking, drinking and socioeconomic status.Primary and secondary outcome measuresWe investigated the distribution of serum vitamin D status and the association between demographic factors and vitamin D deficiency or insufficiency. Vitamin D deficiency was defined as a serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D level <25 nmol/L. Multivariable logistic regression was used to assess the association between demographic factors and vitamin D status.ResultsAsian (n=4297/8000, 53.7%) and black (n=2459/7046, 34.9%) participants had a higher proportion of vitamin D deficiency than white participants (n=50 920/422 907, 12%). During spring and winter, the proportion of vitamin D deficiency was higher across the UK and higher in the north than in the south. Male sex, abnormal body mass index, non-white ethnic backgrounds, smoking and being more socioeconomically deprived were associated with higher odds of vitamin D deficiency. Increasing age, taking vitamin D supplements and drinking alcohol were associated with lower odds of deficiency.ConclusionsVitamin D status varied among different ethnic groups and by season and geographical area within the UK. Taking supplements was associated with a lower risk of vitamin D deficiency. These findings support the vitamin D supplementation recommendations of Public Health England.


Author(s):  
Rebecca Vearing ◽  
Kathryn Hart ◽  
Karen Charlton ◽  
Yasmine Probst ◽  
David Blackbourn ◽  
...  

Nutrients ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 12 (12) ◽  
pp. 3674
Author(s):  
Eamon Laird ◽  
James Bernard Walsh ◽  
Susan Lanham-New ◽  
Maria O’Sullivan ◽  
Rose Anne Kenny ◽  
...  

At northern latitudes, non-ethnic population groups can be at an increased risk of vitamin D deficiency (defined as a 25-hydroxyvitamin D [25(OH)D] status ≤30 nmol/L). The vitamin D status of ethnic minority groups has been examined both in UK and European populations, but not in the Irish context. The aim of this study is to assess the vitamin D status from a selection of the Dublin population of South East Asian descent. A search was conducted, using the laboratory information system of St James’s Hospital, Dublin, for vitamin D requests by General practitioners. From 2013 to 2016, 186 participants were identified and 25(OH)D analysis was quantified using liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS-MS). Overall, the median age was 32 years, 51% were male, and the 25(OH)D concentration ranged from 10 to 154 nmol/L. In total, 66.7% of the total sample were vitamin D deficient and 6.7% had a 25(OH)D status greater than 50 nmol/L (the 25(OH)D concentration defined by the EU as ‘sufficient’). Females had a significantly higher 25(OH)D concentration than males (25.0 vs. 18.0 nmol/L; p = 0.001) but both groups had a significant proportion with deficient status (56% and 76.8%, respectively). Seasonal variation of 25(OH)D was not evident while high rates of deficiency were also observed in those aged <18 years and >50 years. Given the importance of vitamin D for health, this sub-population could be at a significantly increased risk of rickets, impaired bone metabolism, and osteoporosis. In addition, vitamin D deficiency has been associated with several non-bone related conditions, including cardiovascular disease and diabetes. Currently, there is no unique vitamin D intake or vitamin D status maintenance guidelines recommended for adults of non-Irish descent; this needs to be considered by the relevant public health bodies in Ireland.


2020 ◽  
pp. 1-9 ◽  
Author(s):  
Amy Ronaldson ◽  
Jorge Arias de la Torre ◽  
Fiona Gaughran ◽  
Ioannis Bakolis ◽  
Stephani L. Hatch ◽  
...  

Abstract Background A possible role of vitamin D in the pathophysiology of depression is currently speculative, with more rigorous research needed to assess this association in large adult populations. The current study assesses prospective associations between vitamin D status and depression in middle-aged adults enrolled in the UK Biobank. Methods We assessed prospective associations between vitamin D status at the baseline assessment (2006–2010) and depression measured at the follow-up assessment (2016) in 139 128 adults registered with the UK Biobank. Results Amongst participants with no depression at baseline (n = 127 244), logistic regression revealed that those with vitamin D insufficiency [adjusted odds ratio (aOR) = 1.14, 95% confidence interval (CI) = 1.07–1.22] and those with vitamin D deficiency (aOR = 1.24, 95% CI 1.13–1.36) were more likely to develop new-onset depression at follow-up compared with those with optimal vitamin D levels after adjustment for a wide range of relevant covariates. Similar prospective associations were reported for those with depression at baseline (n = 11 884) (insufficiency: aOR = 1.11, 95% CI 1.00–1.23; deficiency: aOR = 1.30, 95% CI 1.13–1.50). Conclusions The prospective associations found between vitamin D status and depression suggest that both vitamin D deficiency and insufficiency might be risk factors for the development of new-onset depression in middle-aged adults. Moreover, vitamin D deficiency (and to a lesser extent insufficiency) might be a predictor of sustained depressive symptoms in those who are already depressed. Vitamin D deficiency and insufficiency is very common, meaning that these findings have significant implications for public health.


2020 ◽  
pp. 1-12 ◽  
Author(s):  
Andrea L. Darling ◽  
David J. Blackbourn ◽  
Kourosh R. Ahmadi ◽  
Susan A. Lanham-New

Abstract Little research has assessed serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25(OH)D) concentration and its predictors in Western-dwelling South Asians in a relatively large sample size. This observational, cross-sectional analysis assessed baseline prevalence of 25(OH)D deficiency in UK-dwelling South Asians (aged 40–69 years, 2006–2010) from the UK Biobank Cohort. Serum 25(OH)D measurements were undertaken using the DiaSorin Liaison XL assay. Of 6433 South Asians with a 25(OH)D measurement, using commonly used cut-off thresholds, 55 % (n 3538) had 25(OH)D < 25 nmol/l (severe deficiency) and 92 % (n 5918) had 25(OH)D < 50 nmol/l (insufficiency). Of the participants with a measurement, 20 % (n 1287) had 25(OH)D concentration <15 nmol/l (very severe deficiency). When 824 participants with undetectable (<10 nmol/l) 25(OH)D measurements were included (total n 7257), 29 % (n 2105) had 25(OH)D < 15 nmol/l, 60 % (n 4354) had 25(OH)D < 25 nmol/l and 93 % (n 6749) had 25(OH)D < 50 nmol/l. Logistic regression predictors of 25(OH)D < 25 nmol/l included the following characteristics: being male; Pakistani; higher BMI; 40–59 years old; never consuming oily fish; summer sun exposure <5 h/d, not using a vitamin D-containing supplement, measurement in winter or spring and vegetarianism. In terms of region, median 25(OH)D concentration was 19–20 nmol/l in Scotland, Northern England, the Midlands and Wales. Across Southern England and London, it was slightly higher at 24–25 nmol/l. Our analyses suggest the need for increased awareness of vitamin D deficiency in South Asians as well as urgent public health interventions to prevent and treat vitamin D deficiency in this group.


2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nicholas Smith ◽  
Lynnette Leidy Sievert ◽  
Shanthi Muttukrishna ◽  
Khurshida Begum ◽  
Lorna Murphy ◽  
...  

AbstractBackground and objectivesLow levels of vitamin D among dark-skinned migrants to northern latitudes and increased risks for associated pathologies illustrate an evolutionary mismatch between an environment of high ultraviolet (UV) radiation to which such migrants are adapted and the low-UV environment to which they migrate. Recently, low levels of vitamin D have also been associated with higher risks for contracting COVID-19. South Asians in the UK have higher risk for low vitamin D levels. In this study, we assessed vitamin D status of British-Bangladeshi migrants compared to white British residents and Bangladeshis still living in Bangladesh (‘sedentees’).MethodologyThe cross-sectional study compared vitamin D levels among 149 women aged 35-59, comprising British-Bangladeshi migrants (n=50), white UK neighbors (n=54) and Bangladeshi sedentees (n=45). Analyses comprised multivariate models to assess serum levels of 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25(OH)D), and associations with anthropometric, lifestyle, health and migration factors.ResultsVitamin D levels in Bangladeshi migrants were very low: mean 25(OH)D = 32.2nmol/L ± 13.0, with 29% of migrants classified as deficient (<25nmol/L) and 94% deficient or insufficient (≤50nmol/L). Mean levels of vitamin D were significantly lower among British-Bangladeshis compared to Bangladeshi sedentees (50.9nmol/L ± 13.3), presumably due to less exposure to sunlight following migration; levels were also lower than in white British women (55.3nmol/L ± 20.9). Lower levels of vitamin D were associated with increased body mass index and low iron status.Conclusions and implicationsRecommending supplements to Bangladeshi migrants could prevent potentially adverse health outcomes associated with vitamin D deficiency.Lay summaryVitamin D deficiency is one example of mismatch between an evolved trait and novel environments. Here we compare vitamin D status of dark-skinned British-Bangladeshi migrants in the UK to Bangladeshis in Bangladesh and white British individuals. Migrants had lower levels of vitamin D and are at risk for associated pathologies.


2021 ◽  
Vol 7 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Keisuke Yoshida ◽  
Tomoki Yonaha ◽  
Masayuki Yamanouchi ◽  
Hirofumi Sumi ◽  
Yasuhiro Taki ◽  
...  

Abstract Background Vitamin D deficiency is often observed in patients undergoing maintenance hemodialysis and is associated with significantly increased risk of overall mortality. Despite reports of poor nutrition/intake, vitamin D status among patients on maintenance hemodialysis receiving welfare remains unknown. This study investigated the vitamin D status in welfare recipients undergoing maintenance hemodialysis. Methods This cross-sectional study investigated vitamin D status among 106 outpatients undergoing maintenance hemodialysis at two medical facilities in Japan. Patients were divided into welfare and non-welfare groups based on their status as of September 2018. Patients were divided into two categories: serum vitamin D deficiency, defined as serum 25(OH)D concentrations < 12 ng/mL, or non-deficiency. Vitamin D deficiency was used as a dependent variable, while welfare receipt was used as the main predictor variable. Results Mean [± standard deviation] patient age, median [interquartile range] body mass index, and hemodialysis duration were 66.9 [± 10.8] years, 21.5 [19.6, 24.3] kg/m2, and 7.9 [2.9, 12.3] years, respectively. Among 106 patients, 45 were women (42.5%) and 16 (15.1%) were receiving welfare. The welfare group had a higher diabetes prevalence (P = 0.003) and significantly lower median serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D concentrations (11.5 [8.7, 14.0] vs. 14.8 [11.2, 19.9] ng/mL, P = 0.005). Multiple logistic regression analysis revealed that welfare receipt was a significant risk factor for vitamin D deficiency (odds ratio [95% confidence interval], 4.41 [1.08, 18.07]). Conclusions Welfare recipients undergoing maintenance hemodialysis are at significantly increased risks of vitamin D deficiency compared with patients not receiving welfare.


2021 ◽  
Vol 22 (6) ◽  
pp. 2896
Author(s):  
Armin Zittermann ◽  
Christian Trummer ◽  
Verena Theiler-Schwetz ◽  
Elisabeth Lerchbaum ◽  
Winfried März ◽  
...  

During the last two decades, the potential impact of vitamin D on the risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD) has been rigorously studied. Data regarding the effect of vitamin D on CVD risk are puzzling: observational data indicate an inverse nonlinear association between vitamin D status and CVD events, with the highest CVD risk at severe vitamin D deficiency; however, preclinical data and randomized controlled trials (RCTs) show several beneficial effects of vitamin D on the surrogate parameters of vascular and cardiac function. By contrast, Mendelian randomization studies and large RCTs in the general population and in patients with chronic kidney disease, a high-risk group for CVD events, largely report no significant beneficial effect of vitamin D treatment on CVD events. In patients with rickets and osteomalacia, cardiovascular complications are infrequently reported, except for an increased risk of heart failure. In conclusion, there is no strong evidence for beneficial vitamin D effects on CVD risk, either in the general population or in high-risk groups. Whether some subgroups such as individuals with severe vitamin D deficiency or a combination of low vitamin D status with specific gene variants and/or certain nutrition/lifestyle factors would benefit from vitamin D (metabolite) administration, remains to be studied.


Author(s):  
Betsy Szeto ◽  
Chris Valentini ◽  
Anil K Lalwani

ABSTRACT Background The elderly are at increased risk of both hearing loss (HL) and osteoporosis. Bone mineral density (BMD) has been putatively linked to HL. However, the roles of serum calcium concentrations and vitamin D status have yet to be elucidated. Objectives The purpose of this study was to examine the relation between vitamin D status, parathyroid hormone (PTH), total calcium, BMD, and HL in a nationally representative sample of elderly adults. Methods Using the NHANES (2005–2010), audiometry and BMD data of 1123 participants aged ≥70 y were analyzed in a cross-sectional manner. HL was defined as pure tone averages &gt;25 dB HL at 500, 1000, and 2000 Hz (low frequency); 500, 1000, 2000, and 4000 Hz (speech frequency); and 3000, 4000, 6000, and 8000 Hz (high frequency) in either ear. Multivariable logistic regression was used to examine the relation between HL and total 25-hydroxyvitamin D [25(OH)D], PTH, total calcium, and BMD, adjusting for covariates. Results In multivariable analyses, total 25(OH)D &lt; 20 ng/mL was found to be associated with greater odds of low-frequency HL (OR: 2.02; 95% CI: 1.28, 3.19) and speech-frequency HL (OR: 1.96; 95% CI: 1.12, 3.44). A 1-unit decrease in femoral neck BMD (OR: 4.55; 95% CI: 1.28, 16.67) and a 1-unit decrease in total spine BMD (OR: 6.25; 95% CI: 1.33, 33.33) were found to be associated with greater odds of low-frequency HL. Serum PTH and total calcium were not found to be associated with HL. Conclusions In the elderly, low vitamin D status was associated with low-frequency and speech-frequency HL. Low vitamin D status may be a potential risk factor for age-related HL.


2021 ◽  
Vol 50 (Supplement_1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Joshua Sutherland ◽  
Ang Zhou ◽  
Matthew Leach ◽  
Elina Hyppönen

Abstract Background While controversy remains regarding optimal vitamin D status, the public health relevance of true vitamin D deficiency is undisputed. There are few contemporary cross-ethnic studies investigating the prevalence and determinants of very low 25-hydroxyvitamin D [25(OH)D] concentrations. Methods We used data from 440,581 UK Biobank participants, of which 415,903 identified as white European, 7,880 Asian, 7,602 black African, 1,383 Chinese, and 6,473 of mixed ancestry. 25(OH)D concentrations were measured by DiaSorin Liaison XL and deficiency defined as ≤ 25 nmol/L 25(OH)D. Results The prevalence of 25(OH)D deficiency was highest among participants of Asian ancestry (57.2% in winter/spring and 50.8% in summer/autumn; followed by black African [38.47%/30.78%], mixed ancestry [36.53%/22.48%], Chinese [33.12%/20.68%] and white European [17.45%/5.90%], P &lt; 1.0E-300). Participants with higher socioeconomic deprivation were more likely to have 25(OH)D deficiency compared to less deprived (P &lt; 1.0E-300 for all comparisons), with the pattern being more apparent among those of white European ancestry and in summer (Pinteraction&lt;6.4E-5 for both). In fully-adjusted analyses, regular consumption of oily fish was effective in mitigating ≤25 nmol/L 25(OH)D deficiency across all ethnicities, whilst outdoor-summer time was less effective for black Africans than white Europeans (OR: 0.89; 95% CI: 0.70, 1.12 and OR: 0.40; 95% CI: 0.38, 0.42, respectively). Conclusions Vitamin D deficiency remains an issue throughout the UK, particularly in lower socioeconomic areas and the UK Asian population, half of whom have vitamin D deficiency across seasons. Key messages The prevalence of 25(OH)D deficiency in the UK is alarming, with certain ethnic and socioeconomic groups considered particularly vulnerable.


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