Vitamin D deficiency in Pakistani Population

Abstract

ABSTRACT

Objective: To see the serum vitamin D levels in general population in the province of Punjab.

Study design: Observational study.

Place and Duration of Study: Multi centre study conducted at Shaik Zayed Hospital/College, Rahim Yar Khan, Postgraduate Medical Institute Lahore. Private Hospitals of Lahore and Karachi, Dow Medical University Karachi and Lahore General Hospital, Lahore, from June 2010 to December 2012..

Methodology: Patients and their attendants visiting different hospitals both private and public sector were included, their serum vitamin D was noted. Serum vitamin D was for further categorized as.

Deficiency 0-10, insufficiency 10-30, sufficiency 30-100 and Toxicity > 150. The measurements are in Nanogram.

Results: Out of 579 samples taken from patients, attendants and relatives of patients, 1 (0.1727%) had hyper vitaminosim D, 3 (0.518%) had normal vitamin D, 384 (66.32%) had mild deficiency, 161 (22.62%) had moderate deficiency, 123 (3.97%) had severe deficiency.

Conclusion: Our population in general has deficiency of vitamin D. As a public awareness vitamin D must be given to all Pakistanis of all ages but not without laboratory tests.

Key Words: Vitamin D.