Prevalence of vitamin D deficiency among adult population of Western Region of Nepal

Abstract

Vitamin D denotes cholecalciferol, produced by the action of ultraviolet light with a wavelength of 290–320 nm on 7- dehydrocholesterol in the skin of humans. Once made in the skin or ingested, vitamin D is transported to the liver from kidney where it is hydroxylated into 25-hydroxy vitamin, which is the major circulating form of vitamin D. 2158 patients (19-60 years) were enrolled in the study who visited United Reference Laboratory from 20th July, 2014 to 17th December, 2015. Exclusion criteria included a chronic illness and use of medications known to affect bone metabolism. All participants provided oral informed consent. Our study shows significant deficiency of vitamin D among working population of Western Region of Nepal. The prevalence of insufficiency is significantly more in female population than in male population. It is also observed that vitamin D is significantly less deficient in summer and autumn as compared to winter and spring. It is less deficient in Magar as compared to other ethnic groups. This finding evinces, vitamin D variation is significantly associated with gender, season, and ethnicity variable.