Vitamin D Status among Patients Attending Hussein Medical Center for Diabetes in Jordan

Abstract

Objective: Vitamin D is a steroid fat soluble vitamin, in which deficiency is highly prevalent world wide and has been linked to many diseases. The aim of this study is to assess vitamin D status, and factors associated with low serum level of vitamin D in a sample of patients attending Al-Hussein Medical Center for Diabetes in Salt Hospital. Methods: This is a retrospective study which was done on subjects attending Al-Hussein Medical Center for Diabetes during the period between 1 st of June 2011 and 30 th of October 2012 who were routinely assessed for vitamin D during this period. The total sample size was 590 subjects, divided into two groups, group one (340) subjects with type 2 diabetes and group 2 ( 250) subjects without diabetes, excluding from the sample pregnant women and all patients with problems related to vitamin D deficiency. A specially designed medical record form was used to collect the relevant data. Results: Vitamin D level less than 30 ng/mL was found in 71.7% of subjects. Calcium, phosphorous, albumin, parathyroid hormone and cholesterol were normal in the majority of the subjects. Low serum vitamin D level (< 30ng /mL) was seen in 68.2%, and in 76.4% of group 1 and group 2 respectively, (p=0.000). Obese subjects showed low serum vitamin D in both groups (71.1% and 77.2% respectively). About 79% of group 1 and 83% of group 2 with history of infrequent exposure to sun showed low serum vitamin D (p=0.000) and 13.5% in group 1 and 12.8% in group 2 gave history of infrequent intake of milk and dairy product. Subjects wearing hijab or nigab in both groups had low serum vitamin D (80.4%, 82.4%, p=0.000 respectively). Conclusion: Low serum vitamin D level is highly prevalent among both groups, and the most important risk factors for low serum vitamin D level were the lack of sun exposure and dressing style. National plan for education, screening and control of risk factors associated with vitamin D deficiency is highly recommended.