Vitamin D in healthy Tunisian population: Preliminary results

Vitamin D deficiency is one of the most common medical conditions worldwide. In Tunisia, several studies evaluated Vitamin D status, but this was concerning specific populations (pregnant women, obese or diabetic patients and children with asthma). The only study that evaluated Vitamin D status in a healthy Tunisian population was conducted by Meddeb and associeties in 2002. The update of data available, based on the currently recommended limits, is necessary. This study aimed to estimate the prevalence of hypovitaminosis D in a healthy Tunisian population, and correlate the values with potential risk factors.It was conducted on 209 Tunisian healthy subjects. Data collected included clinical characteristics and dietary intakes. We measured 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25(OH)D), parathyroid hormone (PTH), glycemia, creatinine, calcium, phosphorus, and alkaline phosphatase concentrations. Hypovitaminosis D was retained for 25(OH)D concentrations <75 nmol/L. Vitamin D deficiency was defined by 25(OH)D concentrations <25 nmol/L.The prevalence of hypovitaminosis D and vitamin D deficiency were respectively 92.3% and 47.6%. The main factors that were significantly associated with low vitamin D levels in our multivariate analysis were veiling, living in rural areas and sunscreen use. However, sex, age, socioeconomic level, phototype, solar exposure score, smoking and bone mass index, were not statistically associated with hypovitaminosis D. The study of relationship between vitamin D status and serum PTH levels showed a significative and negative correlation (P < 0.005).Given the high prevalence of vitamin D, an adapted health policy is essential. A widespread vitamin D supplementation and food fortification seems to be necessary in Tunisia.Deficijencija vitamina D je jedno od najčešćih medicinskih stanja širom sveta. U Tunisu je bilo nekoliko prouča vanja statusa vitamina D, koja su obuhvatila specifične po pulacije (trudnice, gojazne ili dijabetične osobe i decu sa astmom). Jedino je Meddab sa saradnicima 2002. godine proučavao status vitamina D kod zdravih osoba. Da bi se dopunili raspoloživi podaci o stanju vitamina D neophodna su dodatna istraživanja. Ovo izučavanje je imalo za cilj da proceni prevalenciju hipovitaminoze D u zdrave populacije u Tunisu, kao i da se vrednosti procene u odnosu na potencijalne faktore rizika.Ispitivano je 209 zdravih osoba u Tunisu. Objedinjeni su podaci kliničkih karakteristika kao i načina ishra ne. Mereni su 25-hidroksivitamin D (25(OH)D), paratireo idni hormon (PTH), glikemija, kreatinin, kalcijum, fosfor i alkal - na fosfataza. Hipovitaminoza 25(OH)D je definisana kao koncentracija < 75 nmol/L, a deficijencija kao koncentracija < 25 nmol/L.Prevalencija hipovitaminoze D i deficijencija vitamina D iznosile su 92,3% i 47,6%. Glavni faktori koji su bili pridruženi sa nivoima vitamina D u našoj mulitivarijantnoj ana lizi bili su način života, život u ruralnim sredinama i zaštita od sunca. Međutim, pol, starost, socioekonomski status, fototip, izlaga nje suncu i indeks koštane mase nisu bili statistički značajni za hipovitaminozu D. Odnos vitamina D i nivoa PTH je bio u značajno negativnoj korelaciji (P < 0,005).Značajno je praćenje vitamina D, kao i davanje vitamina D kao suplementa populaciji u Tunisu.