Vitamin D Level of Individuals Having Medical Service in a Tertiary Hospital

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to investigate the status of vitamin D level, rates of insufficiency and deficiency in individuals seeking medical services in a tertiary hospital.METHODS: This retrospective study was conducted between October 1, 2022, and December 24, 2023. Inclusion criteria were individuals aged 18 years or older who had sought medical services in our hospital between August 2021 to May 2022. Information such as age, gender, ethnicity, and personal health data including vitamin D level, blood pressure, body mass index, and bone mineral density were collected. The percentages and risk features among the individuals with inadequate vitamin D levels were analyzed.RESULTS: Among the 2,459 participants, the mean age was 52.0 years (interquartile range [IQR] 40, 67 years). Approximately one third had one or more health disorders (31.1%), with 29.7% being overweight, 10.8% being obese, and 57.3% having high blood pressure. Osteopenia or osteoporosis was found in 33.2%. The median vitamin D level was 26.3 ng/mL (IQR 19.4, 36.0 ng/mL), with 61.8% had inadequate vitamin D levels as insufficiency in 35.2% and deficiency in 26.6%. Univariable analysis revealed the following three features showing significant association with inadequate vitamin D levels: age younger than 60 years (odds ratio [OR] 2.3, p-value < 0.001), Thai ethnicity (OR 1.3, p-value = 0.014), and overweight/obesity (OR 1.3, p-value = 0.002). Multivariable analysis showed that all three features were independent risk factors for inadequate vitamin D levels.CONCLUSION: This study showed a high percentage of inadequate vitamin D levels among the participants, with insufficiency in approximately one third and deficiency in one fourth. Older people, Thai people, and overweight/obese people were at risk of inadequate vitamin D levels.