Vitamin D Research Today is a free monthly online journal that collates and summarizes the latest research about Vitamin D, including details on sources, melanin, benefits, deficiency, supplements, calcium absorption. | ||||||||
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Vitamin D deficiency in Tunisia.Meddeb N, Sahli H, Chahed M, Abdelmoula J, Feki M, Salah H, Frini S, Kaabachi N, Belkahia Ch, Mbazaa R, Zouari B, Sellami S Department of Rheumatology, Rabta Hospital, 1006, Tunis, Tunisia. nihel.besbes@rns.tn This study seeks to estimate the status of serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D [25(OH)D] in a healthy section of the population in Tunisia and to compare the achieved results with other published data. A transverse descriptive inquiry was carried out between January and March 2002. Three hundred and eighty-nine subjects aged 20-60 years were included in the study. A questionnaire was used to investigate clinical characteristics: sunlight exposure to ultraviolet light and, for women, parity, breast feeding, whether or not they wore the veil, and menopause. A dietary investigation estimated calcium and vitamin D intake. Morning fasting blood was collected from each subject for the measurement of the following parameters: serum calcium, phosphorus, albumin, alkaline phosphatase, 25(OH)D, parathyroid hormone (PTH). Hypovitaminosis D was defined by a cut-off of 37.5 nmol/l. The population studied was largely female, for the greater part housewives. The accumulated prevalence of hypovitaminosis D was 47.6%, increasing with age. Hypovitaminosis is highly prevalent in women (P<0.001). Multiparity, menopause, wearing the veil, and calcium and vitamin D dietary intake are factors associated with hypovitaminosis D (P<0.05). Analysis of logistic regression shows that only multiparity and vitamin D dietary intake are independent predictive factors. The status of serum 25(OH)D in Tunisia resembles that in southern European countries rather than in Middle Eastern countries. Insufficient vitamin D diet intake, higher parity and wearing the veil explain this deficiency in Tunisia. Dietary enrichment or supplementation by vitamin D and a more outdoor lifestyle, especially for older people, should be seriously considered as a way to reduce this deficiency in Tunisia. Published 26 January 2005 in Osteoporos Int, 16(2): 180-3.
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