Vitamin D Insufficiency in a Hospital Population: A Photograph from the Laboratory Perspective

Authors

  • Maria Joana Santos Serviço de Endocrinologia. Hospital de Braga. Braga. Portugal.
  • Vera Fernandes Serviço de Endocrinologia. Hospital de Braga. Braga. Portugal.
  • Fernando Mota Garcia Serviço de Patologia Clínica. Hospital de Braga. Braga. Portugal.

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.20344/amp.6253

Keywords:

Portugal, Seasons, Vitamin D, Vitamin D Deficiency.

Abstract

Introduction: Although vitamin D deficiency is increasingly recognized around the world, there are few studies on the Portuguese reality. This study aims to analyse vitamin D levels in the assays performed in our hospital and their relationship with age, genre, requesting specialty and moment of sample collection.
Material and Methods: Cross-sectional study of measurements of 25(HO)D performed in our Hospital between June 2012 and November 2014. Included variables: gender, age, requesting specialty, month of sample collection. Vitamin D status classified as: ‘Deficiency’ (≤ 20 ng/mL), ‘Insufficiency’ (21 - 29 ng/ml) and ‘Sufficiency’ (≥ 30 ng/mL).
Results: We included 5 439 assays; 55.0% from women; the median age was 64.0 years. Sixty per cent had ‘Deficiency’, 20.7% ‘Insufficiency’ and 18.9% ‘Sufficiency’. We found a negative correlation between age and vitamin D level (p < 0.001). We didn’t find differences in vitamin D levels between genres. Nine specialties requested 98% of the assays, namely Nephrology (56.2%). We found differences between specialties based on age and vitamin D level (p < 0.001). Vitamin D levels changed throughout the year, with higher levels in the summer, followed by autumn, spring and winter (p < 0.001). Despite this seasonal fluctuation, vitamin D sufficiency was only present in a minority of assays (27.8% in summer and 9.2% in winter).
Discussion: Vitamin D deficiency is prevalent in this population, affects individuals of all ages and is not offset by the seasonal variation of sunlight.
Conclusion: Vitamin D deficiency is a real and prevalent problem in our population that needs further attention and action, given its clinical implications.

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Author Biography

Maria Joana Santos, Serviço de Endocrinologia. Hospital de Braga. Braga. Portugal.

Serviço de Endocrinologia, Hospital de Braga

Published

2015-10-21

How to Cite

1.
Santos MJ, Fernandes V, Garcia FM. Vitamin D Insufficiency in a Hospital Population: A Photograph from the Laboratory Perspective. Acta Med Port [Internet]. 2015 Oct. 21 [cited 2024 Mar. 28];28(6):726-34. Available from: https://www.actamedicaportuguesa.com/revista/index.php/amp/article/view/6253