VITAMIN D STATUS IN A HEALTHY TUNISIAN POPULATION

Vitamin D deficiency is one of the most common medical conditions worldwide. In Tunisia, several studies evaluated Vitamin D status, but this was concerning specific populations (pregnant women, obese or diabetic patients and children with asthma). The only study that evaluated Vitamin D status in a healthy Tunisian population was conducted by Meddeb and al. in 2002. The update of data available, based on the currently recommended limits, is necessary. This study aimed to estimate the prevalence of hypovitaminosis D in a healthy Tunisian population, and correlate the values with potential risk factors. It was conducted on 209 Tunisian healthy subjects. Data collected included clinical characteristics and dietary intakes. We measured 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25(OH)D), parathyroid hormone (PTH), glycemia, creatinine, calcium, phosphorus, proteins and alkaline phosphatase levels. Hypovitaminosis D was retained for 25(OH)D concentrations <30ng/ml. Vitamin D deficiency was defined by 25(OH)D concentrations <10 ng/ml. The prevalence of hypovitaminosis D and vitamin D deficiency were respectively 92.3% and 47.6%. The main factors that were significantly associated with low vitamin D levels in our multivariate analysis were veiling, living in rural areas and sunscreen use. However, sex, age, socioeconomic level, phototype, solar exposure score, smoking and bone mass index, were not statistically associated with hypovitaminosis D. The study of relationship between vitamin D status and serum PTH levels showed a significative and negative correlation (p< 0.005). Given the high prevalence of vitamin D, an adapted health policy is essential. A widespread vitamin D supplementation and food fortification seems to be necessary in Tunisia.

Serum 25-Hydroxyvitamin D and the risk of breast cancer in women from Southern Morocco: A case-control study

OBJECTIVES: Assessing Vitamin-D status and checking if low serum 25(OH)D is a factor in breast cancer (BC) for Southern Moroccan women. MATERIALS/METHODS: Study conducted in Morocco about women with BC (n = 90) and controls (n = 90). 25-hydroxy-vitamin-D Biological analyzes executed during the first consultation. Social data and anthropometric parameters were collected for all participants. RESULTS: These women constituted 67.78 % for the cases and 85.6% for the controls. The average age was 48.72±9.71 (cases) and 46.40±12.52 (controls). We found that 53.33% of cases and 40% of controls were postmenopausal and that hypovitaminosis-D affected 80 and 64.4% of cases and controls, respectively. Statistical analysis showed that hypovitaminosis-D was a significative risk factor for BC in Southern Moroccan women. The Odds Ratio was of 5 (p < 0.0001). The BC subtypes had Odds Ratios greater than 1. The highest value was obtained with Luminal B subtype (Odds ratio = 6.25; p = 0.0007). CONCLUSION: This study reinforces the evidence implicating hypovitaminosis-D among modifiable risk factors for BC. Further studies are needed to assess the extent of hypovitaminosis-D in Moroccan women with BC.

A Randomized, Open-Label Study to Assess Efficacy of Weekly Assumption of Cholecalciferol versus Calcifediol in Older Patients with Hypovitaminosis D

The aim of this single-center, open-label, randomized controlled study was to evaluate which formulation of vitamin D—between cholecalciferol and calcifediol—is most effective in the treatment of hypovitaminosis D in older adults. Demographic characteristics, clinical history, and comprehensive geriatric assessment were recorded at admission. Eligible patients were randomly assigned an equivalent vitamin D supplement, either with cholecalciferol or calcifediol, from the time of hospital admission to three months after discharge. Among the 140 older patients included (mean age 83 ± 6.6 years, 57.8% females), 69 received cholecalciferol and 71 received calcifediol. The mean plasma values of 25-hydroxyvitamin D3 (25OH-vitamin D3) found at the time of enrollment were 16.8 ± 9.9 ng/mL in patients receiving cholecalciferol and 18.8 ± 13.3 ng/mL in those treated with calcifediol (p = 0.31). At the three month follow-up, the mean concentration of 25OH-vitamin D3 was significantly higher in patients treated with calcifediol than in those receiving cholecalciferol (30.7 ± 8.4 vs. 45.4 ± 9.8 ng/mL, respectively; p < 0.001). Supplementation with either cholecalciferol or calcifediol effectively results in reaching the optimal circulating values of 25OH-vitamin D3 in older patients suffering from hypovitaminosis D. However, supplementation with calcifediol led to average circulating values of 25OH-vitamin D3 that were significantly higher (over 50%) than those obtained with cholecalciferol.

Possibilities of colecalciferol therapy for tension type headache combined with hypovitaminosis D

Introduction. Modern studies indicate the therapeutic effect of vitamin D (VD) in chronic pain conditions, but there is no data on the use of VD in chronic tension type headache (CTTH) treatment.Objective: comparative evaluation of the effectiveness of various options for preventive treatment of CTTH: the use of colecalciferol, standard therapy of the disease and a combination of these methods.Materials and methods. 125 women with CTTH and hypovitaminosis D were treated in the study. The frequency, duration and intensity of headache (HF, HD and HI, respectively), HIT index, frequency of analgesics taking, pericranial muscle dysfunction were evaluated. The VD level was measured by the concentration of 25-hydroxyvitamin D [25(OH)D]. The patients received differentiated therapy for 16 weeks: group 1 – colecalciferol, group 2 – amitriptyline, group 3 – a combination of these medicines. Results. In group 1, HF, HD, HIT-index and the frequency of analgesics taking decreased, all p ≤ 0.001. In groups 2 and 3, the values of all CTTH-parameters decreased, all p < 0.05. HF, HIT-index and the frequency of analgesics taking in group 3 decreased more than in group 2, all p >< 0.017. In women who had VD deficiency before treatment, the decrease in HF from the initial one was 36% in group 1, 55% in group 2, and 74% in group 3. In patients who had VD deficiency before treatment, the effectiveness of therapy in group 3 was higher than in group 2: 74% vs. 55%, respectively, p >< 0.001.Conclusions. Treatment of hypovitaminosis D in women with CTTH is accompanied by a decrease in HF, the effect of headache on the quality of life of patients and the frequency of taking analgesics. In CTTH and VD deficiency normalization of 25(OH)D level contributes to higher efficiency of standard therapy.

Bone Health in Children With Risk Factors for Low Bone Mass

Purpose: To describe clinical and biological characteristics of pediatric patients with at least one risk factor (RF) for low bone mass for chronological age (LBMca)/childhood osteoporosis (cOP) and to assess its influence on bone mineral density (BMD).Methods: Patients between 2 and 20 years of age with at least 1 RF were recruited. Daily calcium intake, number of previous fractures and other RFs and their distribution among different groups were assessed. Spine and whole body DXA and vertebral morphometry were performed.Results: 103 patients were included. Mean age was 9.8 years old. 52.4% were female. Of the RFs, 84.5% presented insufficient calcium intake, 38.8% were receiving or had received corticosteroids, 31.1% were receiving other treatments with osteotoxic potential, 13.6% led a sedentary lifestyle, 12.6% presented history of fractures, and up to 8.1% had hypovitaminosis D. 38% of the cohort had 2 RFs, 31% had 3 RFs, 15% had 4 RFs, and 12% associated 5 or more RFs. 10.5% met LBMca criteria and 4.8% met cOP criteria. 73% of vertebral BMD was justified by age and hypovitaminosis D (positive effect), and male sex and Hispanic ethnicity (negative effect). 82% of total body less head BMD was justified by age (positive effect), and Hispanic ethnicity and sedentary lifestyle (negative effect).Conclusions: Pediatric populations with risk of LBM/cOP have 2 or more risk factors. Up to 10.5% of children with RFs present LBM and 4.8% have an unknown cOP. RFs related to changes in BMD are age, sex, sedentary lifestyle, ethnicity, and hypovitaminosis D.

A Prospective Study on Critical Illness and Changes in Bone Turnover in Adult Patients

Critical illness has been recognized to acutely influence bone metabolism and, consequently, bone mineral density. The main purpose of this study was to describe bone metabolism changes in adult survivors of critical illness in the attempt to correlate changes with severity scores. It is an open, prospective, observational, monocentric study on patients admitted to the ICU was conducted, evaluating bone metabolism at baseline (within 72 hours of ICU admission), 6 months, and 12 months. Fifty-nine patients admitted to the ICU (63% males), mean age 58 &plusmn; 16 years, were enrolled. Of these, 20 patients (34%) completed the one-year follow up. At baseline, bone resorption showed an increase, which was maintained at 6 months, with normalization at 12 months. Patients showed, in a majority of cases, hypovitaminosis D with hyperparathyroidism at baseline with subsequent normalization. A trend towards a correlation was described between severity scores and serum 25(OH) vitamin D and bone turnover marker levels. These results contribute to the confirmation of a positive association between critical illness requiring ICU and bone metabolism changes. This study poses the bases for further studies to evaluate bone health in ICU patients.

A clinical registry of multisystemic presentation of hypovitaminosis D in hospital attendees in Kolkata

Background: Vitamin D (Vit D) is a steroid hormone essential for maintaining functional homeostasis in the body. Hypovitaminosis D has been a recognized worldwide problem affecting all age groups and sex. Its prevalence is very high in South Asia. Aims and Objectives: Therefore, this study was aimed to determine the spectrum of presentation of biochemical levels of hypovitaminosis D in Indian population in terms of age, sex, and multisystemic disorders. Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional study carried out on selective study population attending a tertiary care hospital from July 2019 to December 2020 with clinical presentations suspected to arise due to Vit D deficiency. Serum 25OH Vit D level was estimated by chemiluminescence method. Data were analyzed using GraphPad Prism 8. Results: Of the study population (n = 685), average serum 25(OH)D level in females and males was 24.13 ng/ml and 28.59 ng/ml, respectively. Significant difference in mean value of Vit D existed in males and females in the 21–40 years age group (p = 0.0048). Females in the Vit D deficient group (Vit D level<20) mostly presented with mastalgia (20.45%), low back pain (17.61%), and joint pain (11.36%). Common clinical presentation in males with Vit D levels less than 20 ng/ml was diabetes mellitus without CKD (18.34%), non-diabetic CKD (19.27%), and low back pain (16.51%). Conclusion: Low Vit D levels manifest itself as signs and symptoms involving various multisystemic disorders involving different age groups in both sexes. Early recognition and replacement can prevent the progress of complications which Vit D deficiency makes us prone to develop.

Status of Vitamin D among Patients Visiting a Tertiary Care Centre in Rupandehi, Nepal

Serum vitamin D is one of the fat-soluble vitamin which has the role in maintenance of calcium and phosphorus levels and ultimately proper bone health and various physiological processes. Although many studies prevail hypovitaminosis D, we focused to find out the pattern of elevated or decreased serum vitamin D level as its deficiency and surplus have adverse effects to our health.. For this, a retrospective study was done from the records present in a hospital laboratory of Devdaha Medical College and Research Institute (DMCRI), Rupandehi, Nepal from January 2018 to December 2020 where 201 participants with 70.1% male and 29.9% female with different age groups were present. From total participants, 14.9% had deficient, 42.8% had insufficient, 35.3% had sufficient and 7% had high level of serum vitamin D. Male had 2.9% deficient and 14,9% insufficient vitamin D whereas female had 11.9% deficient, 27.8% insufficient and 7.0% surplus vitamin D. The greater prevalence of hypovitaminosis D in the females than the males could be overcome by the necessary strategies in the form of further studies and judicious supplementation vitamin D in the target population by monitoring the level of serum vitamin D. Int. J. Appl. Sci. Biotechnol. Vol 9(4): 256-260.

Vitamin D Status in a Rural Italian Population

Vitamin D is known as an antirachitic factor, although it also plays a critical role in several nonskeletal diseases. In our study, we evaluated vitamin D status and sex, age and seasonal association in a general population cohort living in central Italy. Data from 1174 men and 2274 women aged 20–81 were analyzed, and stored serum samples were assayed for 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25(OH)D). Vitamin D was low in both sexes with values significantly lower in women than in men; furthermore, its deficiency was highly correlated with age. The younger men had just sufficient 25(OH)D levels (32.3 ng/mL ± 13.2), which decreased with increasing age. The younger women showed insufficient 25(OH)D levels (24.8 ng/mL ± 11.9) that, as with men, further decreased with increasing age. This study demonstrated that hypovitaminosis D may be a very frequent condition also in a rural central Italian area with remarkable solar irradiation throughout the year. Our data clearly indicated an evident seasonal trend: at the end of the winter, serum 25(OH)D levels of the examined cohort were below the official sufficient value for both adult sexes. Sufficient levels were just reached in summer for men and only at the end of summer for young women.