Illuminating the dark side - vitamin d status in different localities of karachi

ABSTRACT

This study was conducted to determine the association between place of residence [grouped into neighbourhoods], and 25-hydroxy D [25[OH]D] levels of individuals of Karachi. Addresses of 4788 individuals tested for 25[OH]D at the clinical laboratory of the Aga Khan University [AKU], Karachi, from January 2007 to June 2008 were reviewed. The neighbourhoods were categorized into ten, based on locality attributes. A high overall prevalence [74%] of vitamin D deficiency [VDD] was observed. There was a significant difference [p-value < 0.01] between mean log 25[OH]D levels amongst neighbourhoods grouped according to distinct housing structure attributes and localities. A high frequency of VDD in all the studied localities of an urban city warrant dietary vitamin D supplementation and food fortification