Vitamin-D status in a population of healthy adults in Pakistan

ABSTRACT

To determine the prevalence of hypovitaminosis D and its predictors in healthy adult Pakistanis. This study was conducted at various hospitals in Karachi from April 2007 to September 2007. In this study 244 healthy adults 16-62 years of age, visited hospital as an attendant of the patients and fulfilled the inclusion and exclusion criteria has been enrolled. After taking written consent a questionnaire regarding age, gender, occupation, duration of sun exposure, area of skin exposed, type of residence used, clothing and dietary habits were recorded. Serum 25-OH Vitamin D3 levels were determined by electrochemiluminescence method and Vitamin D deficiency was defined as a level <20micro g/ml. serum calcium. Phosphorus and Alkaline Phosphatase were also measured in all of these subjects. Among 244 subjects ranging from 16-62 years, 193[79%] were female. Subjects were predominantly married [72%], mostly residing in apartments [47.5%] and most of them [41 .8%] only exposed their face and hands while outdoor. Duration of sun exposure in majority was 1 -2 hour /day [42%]. Majority used clothes of variable colour [72%] and fabric [41%]. One hundred and eighty six [76.2%] subjects had deficiency of Vitamin D and significantly correlated with duration of sunlight exposure, large area of skin exposed, vitamin D in diet consumed and colour of clothes worn. Vitamin D was significantly correlated negatively with serum Phosphorus and Alkaline Phosphatase whereas serum calcium correlated positively. Prevalence of hypovitaminosis D among healthy Pakistanis is high and duration of sun exposure is the most common predictor of hypovitaminosis D