Vitamin D Status in Secondary Care Patients

Background: Vitamin D deficiency is a growing problem worldwide and it is associated with a variety of diseases. Objective: To evaluate the prevalence and risk factors for vitamin D deficiency in a sun-rich country. Setting: Al Kindi Hospital, Bahrain. Design: A Retrospective Study. Method: Three hundred two patients were included in the study from 1 June 2009 to 28 February 2012. The study included determination of the prevalence and severity of vitamin D and its correlation with age and gender. Data analysis was performed using SPSS software. Result: Three hundred two patients were included in the study. Two hundred six (68.2%) females had 25(OH) D deficiency compared to 26 (8.6%) males. There was a statistically significant difference concerning gender (P-value=0.014). One hundred forty-two (48%) patients below 50 years had 25(OH) D deficiency compared to 90 (29.8%) patients above 50 years, P-value=0.012. Pearson's correlation coefficient suggests a positive correlation as age increases (Pearson's r(2) = 0.180). Conclusion: Low vitamin D is a growing health problem in Bahrain. Bahraini females had a significantly higher rate of vitamin D deficiency compared to males. We recommend earlier screening in women and young children. People who are at risk should be advised to increase their dietary calcium intake and vitamin D supplementation.