Is vitamin D status associated with non-communicable disease risk in children? A cohort study

Background: Studies in children and adults have reported variations in 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25(OH)D), body mass index (BMI) and blood pressure (BP) over time. Furthermore, there has been a reported association of 25(OH)D with BMI, BP and lipid levels in some cross-sectional and longitudinal studies. Methods: This is a longitudinal study of a group of adolescents with measurements of 25(OH)D, BP, anthropometry and lipids at the ages of 11, 12 13, 15 and 18­20 years. For age-related changes, year 12 participants (n = 261) were matched with year 18­20 participants (n = 368), resulting in 200 paired participants. Longitudinal analyses using the Generalized Estimating Equations (GEE) comprised the following groups of participants, Year 11 (n = 288), Year 12 (n = 253), Year 13 (n = 292), Year 15 (n =238) and Year 18­20 (n = 368). The relationship of 25(OH)D with BMI, BP and lipid levels over a period of 10 years was assessed. Results: There were significant increases in mean BMI and BP, and decreases in 25(OH)D levels with age (all p-values < 0.0001).In females, systolic BP was significantly higher in older participants (18­20) years than younger participants (12 years), but 25(OH)D was significantly higher in younger than older participants. In males, there was significant increase in BP in participants between age 12 years and 18­20 years. 25(OH)D, total cholesterol (TC) and low-density lipoprotein (LDL-C) were significantly lower in 18­20-year-old participants compared with 12-year-old participants. Longitudinally, 25(OH)D was inversely associated with LDL-C. Conclusion: There is evidence of changes in 25(OH)D, BMI and BP in adolescents over a period of 10 years. After adjusting for covariates, BMI and LDL-C were significantly negatively associated with 25(OH)D, which suggests that vitamin D status might be associated positively with favourable lipid profiles in children and adolescents.

Prevalence of vitamin D deficiency in medical students

Aging seldom comes alone and it is considered to be the major factor for many diseases and comorbidities and disabilities. The objectives of the study are to examine demographic characteristics and prevalence of comorbidities and polypharmacy of elderly patients who were admitted at Sebha Medical Center according to the selected period. This study is descriptive and retrospective cross-sectional study conducted in Sebha during 2021. From 195 participants of the study, the highest rate of patients was from the age group of 65 - 74 years which accounted for 86 participants (44%) and followed by those age group of 75 - 84 years which was reported by 65 participants (33%). The majority of elderly patients have hypertension, (n = 116, 59%) and over one-third of the patients (n = 73, 37%) have diabetes mellitus while nearly one-quarter of patients have both diseases at the same time (n = 47, 24%). Nearly, three-quarters of patients have electrolytes imbalance (n = 142,72%). Nearly, two-thirds of the patients had three to five comorbidity diseases (n = 122, 63%). Whereas, over one-third of the patients had just one or two comorbidities (n = 70, 36%). Almost all the participants have polypharmacy (n = 187, 96%). Just above half of the patients have five - ten medications (n = 100, 51%) compared with 45% of the patients from those who have more than ten medications (n = 87). This study showed that there is a strong relationship between the prevalence of polypharmacy and the number of comorbidities. A Spearman correlation test indicated that rate of comorbidities was related to polypharmacy with a significant correlation (P < 0.01). The present study found high prevalence of comorbidities and polypharmacy among elderly inpatients. Based on this high prevalence, practicing pharmaceutical care could play an effective role to reduce the risk of inappropriate polypharmacy among hospitalized elderly patients through encouraging clinical pharmacist to engage in clinical activities in hospitals

Prevalence of Vitamin D deficiency in a multiracial female population in KwaZulu-Natal province, South Africa

Objective: Vitamin D deficiency is a global health issue affecting many countries, especially those in temperate climates. The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of Vitamin D deficiency and level of 25-hydroxyvitamin D [25(OH)D] in females categorised by age and race.Methods: The study was performed between January 2015 and January 2016. This study consisted of 1 976 females stratified by age into < 18, reproductive age (18­45) and > 45 years. Demographic variables were recorded and serum 25(OH)D levels measured by chemiluminescent emission.Results: The predictors of lower 25(OH)D levels included age and race, (p < 0.0001 for each predictor). Approximately 46% of females had < 20 ng/ml 25(OH)D level, the majority of whom were Indian (35%). The 25(OH)D level varied by race (White 27.33 ng/ml; Black 23.43 ng/ml and Indian 15.05 ng/ml; p < 0.0001). In the <18-year age category, White and Black women had significantly higher 25(OH)D levels when compared with Indian women (38.25 ng/ml vs. 37.51 ng/ml vs. 13.68 ng/ml respectively; p < 0.0001). Similarly, in the reproductive age category (18­45 years); White (27.63 ng/ml) and Black (20.93 ng/ml) women had a significantly higher 25(OH)D level compared with Indian (13.15 ng/ml) women (p < 0.0001). Moreover, similar data were observed within the > 45-year age category, where the White and Black women had higher 25(OH)D levels compared with Indian women (25.46 ng/ml vs. 22.73 ng/ml vs. 17.04 ng/ml; p < 0.0001) respectively. Irrespective of age category, severe vitamin D deficiency was highest amongst Indian females.Conclusion: This study demonstrates a significant difference in 25(OH)D concentration in healthy females living in Durban, with Indians presenting with the highest vitamin D deficiency. These findings clearly highlight the need for a policy on vitamin D supplementation and/or fortification of food. Further studies are under way to assess the genetic predisposition of women tovitamin D deficiency