High prevalence of vitamin D deficiency in the sunny Eastern region of Saudi Arabia: a hospital-based study

East Mediterr Health J. 2011 Apr;17(4):317-22.

Abstract

This study evaluated the vitamin D status of a cohort of healthy young Saudi Arabians in the Eastern region of Saudi Arabia. A sample of 139 blood donors (87 males and 52 females) answered a questionnaire about their clinical history, including intake of vitamin D supplements and calcium-rich foods and exposure to sunshine. Blood samples were taken for routine biochemistry, serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D [25(OH)3] and plasma parathyroid hormone (PTH) levels. Serum 25(OH)D levels did not differ significantly between males and females, although the levels were low [10.1 (SD 4.6) ng/mL and 9.9 (SD 4.5) ng/mL respectively]. When subjects with elevated PTH levels were excluded, serum 25(OH)3 levels were still in the deficiency range. There was a high prevalence of a vitamin D deficiency in this sample of Saudi Arabians despite > 65% of participants having adequate exposure to sunlight and > 90% reporting adequate intake of dairy products.

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Calcium, Dietary
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Parathyroid Hormone / blood
  • Prevalence
  • Risk Factors
  • Saudi Arabia
  • Sunlight
  • Surveys and Questionnaires
  • Vitamin D Deficiency / blood
  • Vitamin D Deficiency / epidemiology*

Substances

  • Calcium, Dietary
  • Parathyroid Hormone