Duration Of Sunlight Exposure Research Articles

Does sunlight exposure predict next-night sleep? A daily diary study among U.S. adults.

Poor sleep is becoming increasingly prevalent and is associated with adverse health outcomes. Sunlight exposure may improve sleep by regulating circadian rhythms, increasing vitamin D, and influencing melatonin production. However, research on the sunlight-sleep association is limited, especially outside of cross-sectional designs. This study examined associations between daily self-reported sunlight exposure and next-night sleep quality in 103 adults for up to 70 days. The timing of sunlight exposure predicted next-night sleep quality. Specifically, morning sunlight exposure, relative to no sunlight, predicted better sleep quality based on responses to the brief Pittsburg Sleep Quality Index. Duration of sunlight exposure was generally not associated with sleep quality. Morning sunlight may regulate circadian rhythms, subsequently improving sleep. Findings have potential implications for sleep interventions and daylight savings time policies. Future research should test whether morning sunlight exposure can enhance the effectiveness of sleep interventions.

Long-time exposure to sunlight is associated with the risk of sudden cardiac arrest and coronary heart disease

Abstract Background With ongoing climate change, the duration of sunshine hours will likely increase over the coming decades that escalating air temperature. Little is known about the potential cardiovascular risk from this climate factor. Purpose The aim of this study was to test whether duration of sunlight exposure is associated with incident sudden cardiac arrest (SCA), coronary heart disease (CHD), and hospitalization for heart failure (HF) and whether this association depends on seasonal variation. Methods A total of 308,851 participants from UK Biobank were included and were followed for a median time of 11.8 years. Participants reported how many hours they respectively spent the daylight outdoors on summer and winter typical days. Extreme outliers (>12 hours/day in summer and >8 hours/day in winter) were excluded. Average exposure time was calculated to unify the daylight outdoors time standard. Duration of sunlight exposure (average, summer, and winter) were categorized using quantiles and a restricted cubic spline for outcomes. Multivariate cox proportional hazard regression adjusted by age, sex, demographics, lifestyle, clinical and environmental factors was used for the analysis. Results During a follow-up, 1,572 (0.51%), 11,557 (3.74%) and 2,145 (0.68%) participants were diagnosed with SCA, CHD and hospitalization for HF. Compared with the participants exposed to short-time sunlight (average ≤ 1.5 hours/day), those who exposed to long-term sunlight (average ≥ 3.5 hours/day) had increased risk of SCA (HR 1.22, 95% CI 1.06 to 1.40) and CHD (HR 1.22, 95% CI 1.06 ~1.40). The associations between long-time exposure to sunlight and SCA were largely attributable to summer (HR 1.22, 95% CI 1.06 to 1.39) and not winter (HR 1.02, 95% CI 0.86 to 1.20), respectively. An hour increase of sunlight exposure was associated with increased risk of SCA in summer (HR, 1.03; 95% CI, 1.01 to 1.05), but not in winter (HR, 1.03, 95% CI, 0.99 to 1.06). Subgroup analysis identified that exposure to long-term sunlight was consistently increased risk of SCA, regardless of age, sex, body mass index, previous cardiovascular diseases, total physical activity, types of physical activity in last 4 weeks, use of sun/UV protection, sedentary time, natural environment percentage (buffer 1000m), and PM2.5. Finally, long-time exposure to sunlight was also associated with increased risk of CHD, but not associated with increased risk of HF hospitalization. Conclusions Findings from the present study indicate that daily long-time exposure to sunlight that increase in air temperature is a risk factor for SCA and CHD. These associations revealed graded relationship according to the duration of exposure to sunlight and more pronounced in summer. Our results suggest that public health efforts to reduce cardiovascular risk should take a wide range of exposure time to sunlight into account.

Cord vitamin D levels in newborns and its clinical correlation

Vitamin D levels in newborns mainly depend on maternal vitamin D levels and maternal-fetal transfer of Vitamin D and its metabolites during pregnancy. Babies born to mothers with marked Vitamin D deficiency may have neonatal Rickets. There are many factors determining the Vitamin D levels in mother, like skin pigmentation, duration of sunlight exposure, body mass index, degree of altitude, clothing, sunscreen use, weather, air pollution, season and time of the day. Mothers with light - colored skin require a lesser duration of exposure as compared to mothers with dark-colored skin. If left untreated, children can develop hypocalcemic seizures, growth failure, irritability, lethargy, respiratory infections, and allergies, tetany, and laryngospasm and even dilated cardiomyopathy. Hence we performed this study to evaluated the role of cord vitamin D levels. Methods this was a prospective observational study performed on term neonates weighing > 2.5 kg. Cord vitamin D was estimated at birth, and correlated with various maternal parameters such as anaemia, sun exposure, co-morbidities etc. Results: the mean cord vitamin D levels were low in those babies born to mothers with anaemia, lack of pre-natal supplementation of vitamin D and calcium, as well as less sun exposure. Conclusion: Cord vitamin D could be a marker of vitamin D deficiency in neonates born to mothers with risk factors like anaemia, lack of sun exposure and supplementation.

Comparison of Two Strategies to Increase Serum Vitamin D Levels in a Real-World Setting: Sunlight Exposure and Oral Supplementation.

Sunlight exposure and oral supplementation are the key strategies to increase serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D [25(OH)D] concentration. We aimed to determine elevation in serum 25(OH)D levels by comparing sunlight exposure and oral vitamin D supplementation in vitamin D-deficient participants who chose the treatment strategy by shared decision-making. We enrolled 197 participants aged ≥19 y who had vitamin D deficiency (serum 25(OH)D<20 ng/mL). Participants selected their treatment method through shared decision-making by preference: sunlight exposure or 1,000 IU oral vitamin D3 supplementation daily. Changes in serum 25(OH)D concentration and duration of sunlight exposure were evaluated after 3 mo. Among 197 participants, 26 (13%) selected sunlight exposure and 171 (87%) selected oral vitamin D supplementation. Seasonal distribution of participants and follow-up rate after 3 mo were not significantly different. There was no significant increase in mean serum 25(OH)D levels in the sunlight exposure group. Conversely, the mean serum 25(OH)D level increased by 11 ng/mL after 3 mo in the oral vitamin D supplementation group. The duration of mean sunlight exposure per day during the study period was not significantly different between the groups. Oral supplementation with 1,000 IU vitamin D3 daily significantly increased serum 25(OH)D levels in vitamin D-deficient participants after 3 mo, while sunlight exposure did not. This study suggests that oral supplementation is more effective than sun exposure in increasing vitamin D levels in the Korean population. Therefore, new recommendations on maintaining adequate vitamin D levels are needed in the Korean population.

Vitamin D Status of School-Age Children in North India.

Information on vitamin D deficiency in prepubertal children is scarce. The authors studied calcium intake, sunlight exposure, serum calcium, alkaline phosphatase, 25-hydroxyvitamin (25OHD), and intact parathormone (iPTH) in the children (N = 135) attending the pediatric endocrinology clinic (declared normal after evaluation) and their healthy siblings. Serum 25OHD < 12ng/mL was frequent (55.6%) and median (IQR) 25OHD lower [10.1 (11.4) ng/mL] in pubertal (n = 36) versus prepubertal (n = 99) children [36.4% (p < 0.05), 15.5 (13.2) ng/mL (p < 0.001)]. Girls had lower 25OHD [12.33 (10.32)] vs. [15.83 (13.37) ng/mL, p < 0.05], calcium intake [517.20 (405.5) vs. 623.6 (430.5) mg, p < 0.05], and minutes of sunlight exposure [MSE, 38.55 (42.86) vs. 63.4 (66.8) min, p < 0.01] than boys. MSE and body surface area (BSA) exposed were significant associations of 25OHD in a multivariate model. Vitamin D deficiency in children, both pubertal and prepubertal, assumes public health importance in the authors' region. Girls are at higher risk. Duration of sunlight exposure and BSA are modifiable factors.

The psychotropic effect of vitamin D\xa0supplementation on schizophrenia symptoms

BackgroundSchizophrenia is a multifactorial disease involving interactions between genetic and environmental factors. Vitamin D has recently been linked to many metabolic diseases and schizophrenia. Vitamin D plays essential roles in the brain in the context of neuroplasticity, neurotransmitter biosynthesis, neuroprotection, and neurotransmission. Vitamin D receptors are demonstrated in most brain regions that are related to schizophrenia. However, very few studies in the literature examine the effects of 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25OHD) on schizophrenia symptoms.MethodsThis study aimed to examine the effects of vitamin D replacement on positive, negative, and cognitive symptoms of schizophrenia. Serum 25OHD levels of 52 schizophrenia patients were measured. SANS and SAPS were used to evaluate the severity of schizophrenia symptoms, and the Wisconsin Card Sorting Test: CV4 was used for cognitive assessment. The study was completed with 40 patients for various reasons. The patients whose serum 25OHD reached optimal levels after vitamin D replacement were reevaluated with the same scales in terms of symptom severity. The SPSS 25 package program was used for statistical analysis. The Independent-Samples t-test was used to examine the relationship between the variables that may affect vitamin D levels and the vitamin D level and to examine whether vitamin D levels had an initial effect on the scale scores.ResultsThe mean plasma 25OHD levels of the patients was 17.87 ± 5.54. A statistically significant relationship was found only between the duration of sunlight exposure and 25 OHD level (p < 0.05). The mean SANS and SAPS scores of the participants after 25OHD replacement (23.60 ± 15.51 and 7.78 ± 8.84, respectively) were statistically significantly lower than mean SANS and SAPS scores before replacement (51.45 ± 17.96 and 18.58 ± 15.59, respectively) (p < 0.001 for all). Only the total attention score was significantly improved after replacement (p < 0.05).ConclusionThe data obtained from our study suggest that eliminating the 25OHD deficiency together with antipsychotic treatment can improve the total attention span and positive and negative symptoms in schizophrenia. The 25OHD levels should be regularly measured, replacement should be started when necessary, and the patients should be encouraged to get sunlight exposure to keep optimal 25OHD levels.

Prevalence of Vitamin D deficiency in children aged 02–12 years attending outpatient service in a hospital in North East India

Objective: This study was done to assess the Vitamin D status in children between age group of 2 and 12 years attending outpatient department (OPD) services. Materials and Methods: This cross-sectional observational study was done from September 2017 to August 2018 in a hospital in Tezpur, Assam. A total of 281 children were included in the study and serum 25-hydroxy vitamin-D (25(OH)D), calcium, phosphorus, and alkaline phosphatase were measured in the fasting state. Deficiency was defined as 25(OH)D values &lt;20 ng/mL (50 nmol/L) with insufficiency as values 21–29 ng/mL (52.5–72.5 nmol/L) and sufficiency as values &gt;30 ng/mL. Results: The prevalence of Vitamin D deficiency was found to be 21.1% and that of Vitamin D insufficiency to be 12.2%. We did not find any significant association between serum 25(OH)D and other factors such as duration of sunlight exposure or other biochemical parameters such as serum calcium, phosphorus, and alkaline phosphate levels. Conclusion: There was a high prevalence of biochemical hypovitaminosis D (deficiency and insufficiency) in children attending OPD in a hospital in northeast India.

Sunlight exposed body surface area is associated with serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25(OH)D) level in pregnant Minangkabau women, Indonesia

BackgroundVitamin D deficiency is highly prevalent in women, and living in a tropical country with a year-round abundance of sunlight as the primary source of vitamin D does not seem to guarantee adequate serum 25(OH)D. While living in the tropics, Minangkabau women are known to dress specifically according to their culture. This study was aimed to elucidate the association of sunlight exposed body surface area with serum 25(OH)D in pregnant Minangkabau women of Indonesia.MethodsWe performed a cross-sectional study on 88 Minangkabau women in late pregnancy. Lifestyle data were collected using a questionnaire, and dietary intake of vitamin D was calculated from 24-h food recall. The skin pigmentation type was determined by the Fitzpatrick scale, and the body surface area exposed to sunlight was estimated. Serum 25(OH)D was quantified by ELISA method. Serum 25(OH)D differences according to the duration of sunlight exposure, skin pigmentation type, and sunscreen use were statistically analyzed by ANOVA. The correlation of sunlight exposed body surface area and serum 25(OH)D was analyzed by Spearman’s correlation.ResultsNearly half of the subjects (n = 40; 45.5%) were deficient in vitamin D (< 20 ng/ml) with serum 25(OH)D level 23.0 ± 10.0 ng/ml (mean ± SD) and the estimated daily intake of vitamin D was 5.6 ± 3.9 μg/1000 kcal/day (mean ± SD). The median percentage of body area exposed to sunlight was 15.8%. There were no differences in serum 25(OH)D levels according to sunlight exposure time, skin pigmentation type, and sunscreen use. The percentage of body area exposed to sunlight was positively correlated with serum 25(OH)D level (Spearman’s ρ = 0.403; p < 0.001).ConclusionsVitamin D deficiency is prevalent in pregnant Minangkabau women. Since increasing body surface area exposed to sunlight may not be culturally acceptable, vitamin D supplementation needs to be considered in this population.

Influence of serum vitamin D levels on control and severity of asthma in children

Background: To determine the association between the serum vitamin D levels with the control and severity of asthma.Methods: A total of 113 asthmatic children were enrolled in the study who were on regular follow-up and treatment for the past 6 or more months. The demographic details, presenting complaints, aggravating factors, allergic rhinitis, atopic dermatitis, hospital and ICU stay, duration of sunlight exposure, drug compliance and detailed clinical examination findings were noted in the predesigned proforma. Control of asthma was assessed based on GINA guidelines 2018 as well controlled, partly controlled and poorly controlled. The partly controlled and the poorly controlled group were further combined and labelled as not well controlled group. Severity of asthma was categorized into intermittent, mild persistent, moderate persistent and severe persistent. Serum 25 hydroxy vitamin D was assessed by solid phase ELISA. The well controlled and partly controlled group were compared for all studied parameters.Results: Asthma status of the subjects was categorized as well controlled (59%) as partly controlled (40%) and as poorly controlled (1%). Children with partly and poorly controlled asthma had significantly more vitamin D deficiency (10.9%) and insufficiency (32.6%) compared to well controlled group (4.5% and 4.5% respectively), with p value= 0.000. Low serum vitamin D levels are significantly associated with moderate and severe persistent asthma (p value= 0.009). Exercise significantly induced symptoms in 47.8% of not well controlled group and about 25.4% in well controlled group (p value= 0.014). Examination findings such as wheeze on auscultation was significantly more in not well controlled group.Conclusions: Low serum vitamin D levels are associated with poor control of asthma in children and the severity of asthma is inversely proportional to the serum vitamin D levels.

Determinants of Occupational Health and Safety Problems among Seaweed Workers in Takalar Regency

Seaweed industry is one of the most growing marine sector of industry in South Sulawesi. It is generally assumed that, seaweed workers are vulnerable to experience workplace injury and occupational disease. This study aims to explore determinants of occupational safety and health (OSH) problems among seaweed workers in Takalar District, South Sulawesi, Indonesia.The research is a quantitative study using cross sectional study design. Questionnaires survey were distributed among 105 seaweed workers from four districts in Takalar Regency. The data were analyzed using chi-square test and Odds Ratio (OR) analysis.The results showed that the main OHS problems among seaweed workers were work injury, work fatigue, and low back pain. Work fatigue was associated with pulse > average, work period > 1 year and duration of sunlight exposure > average. Meanwhile, work injury was associated with being female, work period > 1 year and working > 8 hours. Moreover, type of work such as maintenance, processing and all type of work were associated with low back pain.This study recommends to local government and other stakeholders to conduct interventions based on the findings of this research. A further research is needed to provide a longitudinal database on OSH problems among this subgroup of workers that help decision makers to plan a better and effective intervention.

Determinants of Vitamin D Status in Indian School-children.

Introduction:Due to the high prevalence of Vitamin D deficiency in spite of abundant sunshine and scarcity of studies investigating Vitamin D status in Indian children from rural and semirural areas, the objectives of this cross-sectional study were to: (1) assess the Vitamin D status of school-children in a semi-rural setting and (2) identify the determinants of Vitamin D status in these children.Materials and Methods:Data collected included anthropometric measurements (height and weight), body composition, three-one-day dietary recall method, demographic data, and sunlight exposure. Serum 25-hydroxyVitamin D (25(OH)D) was estimated by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) technique. SPSS software was used for statistical analysis.Results:Anthropometric characteristics of the children were similar and mean serum 25(OH)D concentration was 58.5 ± 10.3 nmol/L with no significant differences between genders. Around 80% children reported sunlight exposure of 2 h or more. A majority (71%) of children were Vitamin D insufficient with serum 25(OH)D concentrations between 50 and 74.9 nmol/L. Determinants of Vitamin D identified were duration of sunlight exposure and body fat percent. Significant (P < 0.05) positive association of duration of sunlight exposure was observed with serum 25(OH)D concentrations, while BF% showed a negative association with serum 25(OH)D (β = –0.307; standard error = 0.1388; P < 0.05).Discussion:We have reported a high prevalence of Vitamin D insufficiency in school-children aged 6–12 years, from a semirural setting, in spite of a majority (80%) reporting >2 h of sunlight exposure. We have also demonstrated that duration of sunlight exposure and body fat percentage are the two important determinants of serum 25(OH)D concentrations in these children.

The Skin-Brain Connection Hypothesis, Bringing Together CCL27-Mediated T-Cell Activation in the Skin and Neural Cell Damage in the Adult Brain.

Recent discovery of an association of low serum melatonin levels with relapse in multiple sclerosis (MS) opens a new horizon in understanding the pathogenesis of this disease. Skin is the main organ for sensing seasonal changes in duration of sunlight exposure. Level of melatonin production is dependent on light exposure. The molecular mechanisms connecting peripheral (skin) sensing of the light exposure and developing brain inflammation (MS) have not been investigated. We hypothesize that there is a connection between the reaction of skin to seasonal changes in sunlight exposure and the risk of MS and that seasonal changes in light exposure cause peripheral (skin) inflammation, the production of cytokines, and the subsequent inflammation of the brain. In skin of genetically predisposed individuals, cytokines attract memory cutaneous lymphocyte-associated antigen (CLA+) T lymphocytes, which then maintain local inflammation. Once inflammation is resolved, CLA+ lymphocytes return to the circulation, some of which eventually migrate to the brain. Once in the brain these lymphocytes may initiate an inflammatory response. Our observation of increased CC chemokine ligand 27 (CCL27) in MS sera supports the involvement of skin in the pathogenesis of MS. Further, the importance of our data is that CCL27 is a chemokine released by activated keratinocytes, which is upregulated in inflamed skin. We propose that high serum levels of CCL27 in MS are the result of skin inflammation due to exposure to seasonal changes in the sunlight. Future studies will determine whether CCL27 serum level correlates with seasonal changes in sunlight exposure, MS exacerbation, and skin inflammation.

Is there an association between serum vitamin D levels and endometrial polyps?

Background/Aim: Anti-proliferative effects of vitamin D (VD) had been proposed previously. Herein, the authors aimed to evaluate serum 25(OH)VitD3 levels in women with endometrial polyps (EPs) and to determine whether VD deficiency is a risk factor for EP formation. Materials and Methods: This study was designed as a controlled cross-sectional study. Forty three women with polyps constituted the study group whereas 47 of them constituted the control group. The selection criteria for the study group were hysteroscopic detection and histological confirmation of EPs. The main parameters recorded for each woman were; age, body mass index (BMI), parity, smoking status, co-morbidities, dressing style, dairy intake of VD-rich foods, duration of sunlight exposure, skin photo-type, serum levels of 25(OH)VitD3, calcium, phosphor, and albumin. Results: The mean serum 25(OH)VitD3 level was 8.3&#x00B1;7.7 ng/ml in the study group and 9.3 &#x00B1; 10.2 ng/ml in the control group (p = 0.583). Mean BMI was statistically significantly higher in the study group (p = 0.003). Logistic regression model showed that only significant risk factor for EPs was increased BMI (OR=1.241; 95% CI = 1.070-2.440; p = 0.004). Conclusion: VD deficiency is common among the reproductive age women and obesity is the most important risk factor for polyp formation. The authors believe that there is no relation between VD and EPs.

Seasonal variations in vitamin D status in indoor and outdoor female athletes

Vitamin D (VD) insufficiency is a concern, particularly among young females. The VD status shows seasonal variations, since it correlates with duration of sunlight exposure. VD insufficiency in indoor athletes is therefore suggested in winter. The aim of the present study was to determine seasonal variations in VD and bone status among indoor and outdoor female athletes. The prospective study was conducted in participants aged 20-22 years old. The participants comprised of 15 indoor and 15 outdoor athletes. The biochemical markers and bone parameters were measured in March, June, September and December. The serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25-OH-VD) concentration showed a seasonal oscillation, with a nadir in March (indoor, 19±4.0 ng/ml; outdoor, 32±2.7 ng/ml) and a peak in September (indoor, 32±6.6 ng/ml; outdoor, 39±5.7 ng/ml). The amplitude of oscillation was greater in the indoor compared to the outdoor athletes. Seasonal variations in serum calcium exhibited a similar pattern, while the parathyroid hormone showed an inverse pattern to serum 25-OH-VD. The nadir in bone mass, measured as speed of sound, occurred in June after peaking in December among the indoor and outdoor athletes. The pattern followed 3 months after the changes in 25-OH-VD. Indoor sports athletes are more susceptible to VD insufficiency compared to outdoor sports athletes. Insufficiency is most likely to arise in winter, and could affect bone mineralization observed 3 months after.

Low Serum 25-Hydroxyvitamin D Levels Are Associated with Dry Eye Syndrome.

BackgroundDry eye syndrome (DES) is a common tear film and ocular surface disease that results in discomfort, visual disturbance, and tear film instability with potential damage to the ocular surface. Systemic diseases associated with DES include diabetes mellitus, rheumatoid arthritis, depression, anxiety, thyroid disease, allergic diseases, irritable bowel syndrome, chronic pain syndrome, and hyperlipidemia. Interestingly, it has been found that most of these are associated with low levels of serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25(OH)D) or inadequate sunlight exposure.MethodsIn this cross-sectional data analysis, noninstitutionalized adults aged ≥19 years (N = 17,542) who participated in Korean National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 2010–2012 were included. Information regarding duration of sunlight exposure was collected from the survey participants. Serum 25(OH)D and zinc levels were measured. The confounding variables were age, gender, sunlight exposure time, region of residence, obesity, serum 25(OH)D level, diabetes mellitus, rheumatoid arthritis, depression, thyroid disorder, atopic dermatitis, history of ocular surgery, regular exercise, and walking exercise.ResultsMean serum 25(OH)D levels of subjects with and without DES were 16.90 ± 6.0 and 17.52 ± 6.07 (p<0.001). Inadequate sunlight exposure time (odds ratio [OR], 1.554; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.307–1.848), urban residence (OR, 1.669; 95% CI, 1.456–1.913), indoor occupation (OR, 1.578; 95% CI, 1.389–1.814), and low serum 25(OH)D level (OR, 1.158; 95% CI, 1.026–1.308) were the risk factors for DES. After adjusting for age, sex, obesity, diabetes mellitus, rheumatoid arthritis, depression, thyroid disorder, atopic dermatitis, history of ocular surgery, regular exercise, and occupation, low serum 25(OH)D level (OR, 1.178; 95% CI, 1.010–1.372) and deficient sunlight exposure time (OR, 1.383; 95% CI, 1.094–1.749) were the risk factors for diagnosed DES.ConclusionLow serum 25(OH)D levels and inadequate sunlight exposure are associated with DES in Korean adults. These results suggest that sufficient sunlight exposure or vitamin D supplementation may be useful in DES treatment.

Correlation between vitamin D and carotid artery intima media thickness in patients with ischemic stroke

Background: This study aimed to investigate the relationship between serum vitamin D level and carotid artery intima-media thickness in ischemic stroke patients. The correlation of vitamin D and carotid artery intima media thickness in ischemic stroke patients had conflicting results in different parts of the world. Methods: 217 patients with CVA infarct were selected for analysis between ages 45 and 80 years admitted at our hospital from January 2014 to December 2015. Measurements of serum vitamin D concentration and Carotid-IMT were made by electrochemiluminescence immunoassay and B-mode ultrasound, respectively. Confounding variables like diabetes, hypertension, smoking, alcohol, tobacco, dyslipidemia, BMI, CRP, Serum uric acid, duration of sunlight exposure, prior history of drug intake or fracture and Serum calcium were considered. 200 age and sex matched controls were taken. Questionnaires were used for data collection and multiple linear regression analysis and correlation analysis were used. Results: The mean serum level of vitamin D was 19.14±9.45 SD ng/mL and average IMT was 0.78±0.09 SD mm with pearson coefficient of (-0.36) significant at 0.01 level. The R 2 value was 0.13. Conclusions: Correlation analysis found an inverse relationship between serum vitamin D level and carotid-IMT in ischemic stroke patients.

Derangements in bone mineral parameters and bone mineral density in south Indian subjects on antiepileptic medications.

Background:Although there are reports describing the association of alternations of bone and mineral metabolism in epileptic patients with long-term anticonvulsant therapy, there are only limited Indian studies which have looked at this aspect.Objectives:This study was done to compare the prevalence of changes in bone mineral parameters and bone mineral density (BMD) in ambulant individuals on long-term anticonvulsant therapy with age- and body mass index (BMI)-matched healthy controls.Materials and Methods:There were 55 men (on medications for more than 6 months) and age- and BMI-matched 53 controls. Drug history, dietary calcium intake (DCI), and duration of sunlight exposure were recorded. Bone mineral parameters and BMD were measured.Results:The control group had a significantly higher daily DCI with mean ± SD of 396 ± 91 mg versus 326 ± 101 mg (P = 0.007) and more sunlight exposure of 234 ± 81 vs 167 ± 69 min (P = 0.05). BMD at the femoral neck was significantly lower in cases (0.783 ± 0.105 g/cm2) when compared to controls (0.819 ± 0.114 g/cm2). Majority of the patients (61%) had low femoral neck BMD (P = 0.04). There was no significant difference in the proportion of subjects with vitamin D deficiency (<20 ng/mL) between cases (n = 32) and controls (n = 37) (P = 0.234).Conclusions:Vitamin D deficiency was seen in both the groups in equal proportions, highlighting the existence of a high prevalence of this problem in India. Low femoral neck BMD found in cases may stress the need for supplementing calcium and treating vitamin D deficiency in this specific group. However, the benefit of such intervention has to be studied in a larger proportion of epileptic patients.

Vitamin D Status in Saudi Patients with Type 1 Diabetes Mellitus

Aims/Introduction: There are studies in different countries regarding the prevalence of vitamin D deficiency in non diabetic population. Few studies were done in adults with type 1 diabetes mellitus. This study was conducted to determine Vitamin D Status among Saudi patients with type 1 diabetes and to correlate the associated environmental risk factors. Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional single centre study was conducted in 221 Saudi patients with type 1 diabetes mellitus. These patients were recruited through the Diabetes Centre at King Fahad Armed Forces Hospital between January 2008 and June 2009. 25-hydroxy-vitamin D, Parathyroid hormone, calcium, phosphate and alkaline phosphatase were measured. Results: There were 221 patients with type 1 diabetes mellitus, 92 males (42%) and 129 females (58%). The mean age was 21.3 ± 7.2 and the mean diabetes duration was 7.5 ± 5.7. The frequency of 25-hydroxyvitamin D 50 nmol/l and The frequency of 25-hydroxyvitamin D 25 nmol/l was significantly more frequent in female. 67% were either only exposed face or totally covered. Duration of sun exposure in 64% was less than 30 minutes per day. The area of skin exposed and duration of sunlight exposure associated significantly with Vitamin D levels (p 0.0001 and p 0.0001 respectively). Age was associated with more vitamin D (4.6,14.5), p = 0.005; 5.3 (1.8,15.5), p = 0.003; 3.9 (1.5,10.5), p = 0.007 for age groups 12 - 15, 16 - 19 and 20 - 24 years old consequently. Male gender and exposing face, arms and legs to sun were associated with vitamin D ≥ 25 nmol/l; the odds ratio (95% confidence interval); 0.27 (0.11,0.6), p = 0.001; 0.26 (0.09,0.75), p = 0.01 consequently. Conclusions: Pr</spa

Vitamin D deficiency in children living in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.

Objective:Vitamin D deficiency is an unrecognized epidemic and a common health problem worldwide. This study was conducted to evaluate the vitamin D status in children living in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia and to study its relation to various variables.Materials and Methods:A cross-sectional study was conducted in the pediatric clinic in Jeddah Clinic Hospital-Kandarah, Jeddah, KSA, from October through December 2010, in which 510 healthy children aged 4–15 years were enrolled. Serum calcium, phosphorus, alkaline phosphatase and 25-hydroxyvitamin D [25(OH)D] were measured. Dietary vitamin D intake and duration of daily sunlight exposure were determined. 25(OH)D levels <20 ng/mL and <7 ng/mL were defined as relative and severe vitamin D deficiency, respectively.Results:The mean concentration of 25(OH)D was 13.07 ± 7.81 ng/mL. Seventy subjects (13.72%) had normal 25(OH)D level ranging 20–70 ng/mL. Three hundred (58.82%) had relative 25(OH)D deficiency and 140 (27.45%) had severe deficiency (P=0.000). 220 (43.14%) subjects were males and 290 (56.86%) were females having a statistically significant higher incidence of 25(OH)D deficiency (P=0.019). 54.9% were Saudis, 27.45% were Yemenis and 11.76% were Egyptians. Saudis and Yemenis were more subjected to 25(OH)D deficiency in comparison to Egyptians and other nationalities (P=0.01). There were significant inverse correlations between 25(OH)D levels and bony aches (P=0.000). 56.25% of asymptomatic children had vitamin D deficiency (P=0.000). Duration of sunlight exposure and daily intake of vitamin D had significant effects on serum level of vitamin D (P=0.000).Conclusions:A high prevalence of vitamin D deficiency in children living in Jeddah was observed in this study. Vitamin D supplementation of food products can prevent vitamin D deficiency in these children.

Vitamin D status in multiple sclerosis: Are there any correlations with the health related quality of life

ObjectiveOne of the factors implicated in increased risk of developing MS is low serum levels of 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25(OH)D). MS, on the other hand, may affect the quality of life of the patients’ including physical and social functioning among others. The aim of this study was to investigate 25(OH)D levels and to assess health related quality of life of patients by giving emphasis to possible correlations between these variables. Material and methodsFifty MS patients and 30 controls were enrolled in the study. Gender and age of patients, duration of disease, MS subtypes, Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS) scores and duration of sunlight exposure were recorded, 25(OH)D levels and bone mineral density (BMD) measurements were all performed. All the subjects in both groups were administered Short Form-36 (SF-36) for the assessment of quality of life. Results25(OH)D levels were found to be significantly decreased in MS patients (p<0.05). BMD values including L1–L4 t score, L1–L4 z score, femur neck t and z scores were significantly reduced in the patient group (p<0.05). All SF-36 subscale scores were significantly (p<0.05) lower in MS group and all SF-36 subscale scores except bodily pain were significantly correlated with the EDSS scores. Conclusion25(OH)D and BMD screening should be considered as a routine procedure in the assessment of MS patients. In the long term treatment and follow-up of patients with MS, functional outcomes and quality of life issues should be kept in mind by all the physicians engaged in MS.