Prevalence and Symptomatic Correlation of Vitamin D Deficiency in Individuals Visiting for an Annual Health Check-up – A Cross-sectional Study

Abstract

Vitamin D plays a crucial role in electrolytic reabsorption and calcium homeostasis, thereby maintaining skeletal and extra-skeletal integrity. In addition, the literature establishes its potency to prevent insulin-dependent diabetes, cardiovascular diseases, malignancies, and various autoimmune disorders. Therefore, determining vitamin D deficient states and its correlation with systemic factors plays a notable role in clinical medicine. The present cross-sectional study was conducted to determine the Prevalence and symptomatic correlation of vitamin D deficiency in individuals visiting an annual health check-up at a quaternary care hospital, Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh, India. The study stipulated the prevalence rate of serum vitamin D deficiency levels was 91 % among healthy individuals. The overall mean value of serum vitamin D was 17.54 ng/mL. With 91.2 % symptomatic individuals, the mean age of patients was 48.08 ± 10.33 years, with the majority of males (61.53 %). The mild, moderate, and severe grades of vitamin D deficiency were seen in 32.53 %, 53.01 %, and 14.45 % of study participants, respectively. On applying Pearson correlation, there is a strong negative correlation between the total symptom score (12.98) and serum vitamin D levels with an R-value of -0.788. The study reveals the higher prevalence rate of vitamin D deficiency among apparently healthy participants. The associated symptoms among moderate and severe vitamin D deficient study participants indicate the alarming stage in the country. The study concluded the need for comprehensive public health programs concerning the advantages of sun exposure and sufficient intake of fortified resources in the 21st-century lifestyle.