scholarly journals Vitamin D Status in a Rural Italian Population

Reports ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 5 (1) ◽  
pp. 1
Author(s):  
Ornella Morsilli ◽  
Raffaella Guerriero ◽  
Luigi Palmieri ◽  
Cinzia Lo Noce ◽  
Tanja Zeller ◽  
...  

Vitamin D is known as an antirachitic factor, although it also plays a critical role in several nonskeletal diseases. In our study, we evaluated vitamin D status and sex, age and seasonal association in a general population cohort living in central Italy. Data from 1174 men and 2274 women aged 20–81 were analyzed, and stored serum samples were assayed for 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25(OH)D). Vitamin D was low in both sexes with values significantly lower in women than in men; furthermore, its deficiency was highly correlated with age. The younger men had just sufficient 25(OH)D levels (32.3 ng/mL ± 13.2), which decreased with increasing age. The younger women showed insufficient 25(OH)D levels (24.8 ng/mL ± 11.9) that, as with men, further decreased with increasing age. This study demonstrated that hypovitaminosis D may be a very frequent condition also in a rural central Italian area with remarkable solar irradiation throughout the year. Our data clearly indicated an evident seasonal trend: at the end of the winter, serum 25(OH)D levels of the examined cohort were below the official sufficient value for both adult sexes. Sufficient levels were just reached in summer for men and only at the end of summer for young women.

Nutrients ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (5) ◽  
pp. 1714
Author(s):  
Habiba AlSafar ◽  
William B. Grant ◽  
Rafiq Hijazi ◽  
Maimunah Uddin ◽  
Nawal Alkaabi ◽  
...  

Insufficient blood levels of the neurohormone vitamin D are associated with increased risk of COVID-19 severity and mortality. Despite the global rollout of vaccinations and promising preliminary results, the focus remains on additional preventive measures to manage COVID-19. Results conflict on vitamin D’s plausible role in preventing and treating COVID-19. We examined the relation between vitamin D status and COVID-19 severity and mortality among the multiethnic population of the United Arab Emirates. Our observational study used data for 522 participants who tested positive for SARS-CoV-2 at one of the main hospitals in Abu Dhabi and Dubai. Only 464 of those patients were included for data analysis. Demographic and clinical data were retrospectively analyzed. Serum samples immediately drawn at the first hospital visit were used to measure serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D [25(OH)D] concentrations through automated electrochemiluminescence. Levels < 12 ng/mL were significantly associated with higher risk of severe COVID-19 infection and of death. Age was the only other independent risk factor, whereas comorbidities and smoking did not contribute to the outcomes upon adjustment. Sex of patients was not an important predictor for severity or death. Our study is the first conducted in the UAE to measure 25(OH)D levels in SARS-CoV-2-positive patients and confirm the association of levels < 12 ng/mL with COVID-19 severity and mortality.


Nutrients ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (9) ◽  
pp. 3082
Author(s):  
Spyridon N. Karras ◽  
Erdinç Dursun ◽  
Merve Alaylıoğlu ◽  
Duygu Gezen-Ak ◽  
Cedric Annweiler ◽  
...  

Recent results indicate that dysregulation of vitamin D-binding protein (VDBP) could be involved in the development of hypovitaminosis D, and it comprises a risk factor for adverse fetal, maternal and neonatal outcomes. Until recently, there was a paucity of results regarding the effect of maternal and neonatal VDBP polymorphisms on vitamin D status during pregnancy in the Mediterranean region, with a high prevalence of hypovitaminosis D. We aimed to evaluate the combined effect of maternal and neonatal VDBP polymorphisms and different maternal and neonatal 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25(OH)D) cut-offs on maternal and neonatal vitamin D profile. Blood samples were obtained from a cohort of 66 mother–child pairs at birth. Our results revealed that: (i) Maternal VDBP polymorphisms do not affect neonatal vitamin D status at birth, in any given internationally adopted maternal or neonatal cut-off for 25(OH)D concentrations; (ii) neonatal VDBP polymorphisms are not implicated in the regulation of neonatal vitamin D status at birth; (iii) comparing the distributions of maternal VDBP polymorphisms and maternal 25(OH)D concentrations, with cut-offs at birth, revealed that mothers with a CC genotype for rs2298850 and a CC genotype for rs4588 tended to demonstrate higher 25(OH)D (≥75 nmol/L) during delivery (p = 0.05 and p = 0.04, respectively), after adjustments for biofactors that affect vitamin D equilibrium, including UVB, BMI and weeks of gestation. In conclusion, this study from Southern Europe indicates that maternal and neonatal VDBP polymorphisms do not affect neonatal vitamin D status at birth, whereas mothers with CC genotype for rs2298850 and CC genotype for rs4588 demonstrate higher 25(OH)D concentrations. Future larger studies are required to establish a causative effect of these specific polymorphisms in the attainment of an adequate (≥75 nmol/L) maternal vitamin D status during pregnancy.


2011 ◽  
Vol 106 (9) ◽  
pp. 1383-1389 ◽  
Author(s):  
R. K. Marwaha ◽  
N. Tandon ◽  
S. Chopra ◽  
N. Agarwal ◽  
M. K. Garg ◽  
...  

The present cross-sectional study was conducted to determine the vitamin D status of pregnant Indian women and their breast-fed infants. Subjects were recruited from the Department of Obstetrics, Armed Forces Clinic and Army Hospital (Research and Referral), Delhi. A total of 541 apparently healthy women with uncomplicated, single, intra-uterine gestation reporting in any trimester were consecutively recruited. Of these 541 women, 299 (first trimester, ninety-seven; second trimester, 125; third trimester, seventy-seven) were recruited in summer (April–October) and 242 (first trimester, fifty-nine, second trimester, ninety-three; third trimester, ninety) were recruited in winter (November–March) to study seasonal variations in vitamin D status. Clinical, dietary, biochemical and hormonal evaluations for the Ca–vitamin D–parathormone axis were performed. A subset of 342 mother–infant pairs was re-evaluated 6 weeks postpartum. Mean serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25(OH)D) of pregnant women was 23·2 (sd 12·2) nmol/l. Hypovitaminosis D (25(OH)D < 50 nmol/l) was observed in 96·3 % of the subjects. Serum 25(OH)D levels were significantly lower in winter in the second and third trimesters, while serum intact parathormone (iPTH) and alkaline phosphatase levels were significantly higher in winter in all three trimesters. A significant negative correlation was found between serum 25(OH)D and iPTH in mothers (r − 0·367, P = 0·0001) and infants (r − 0·56, P = 0·0001). A strong positive correlation was observed between 25(OH)D levels of mother–infant pairs (r 0·779, P = 0·0001). A high prevalence of hypovitaminosis D was observed in pregnancy, lactation and infancy with no significant inter-trimester differences in serum 25(OH)D levels.


1999 ◽  
Vol 81 (2) ◽  
pp. 133-137 ◽  
Author(s):  
Elisabetta Romagnoli ◽  
Patrizia Caravella ◽  
Liliana Scarnecchia ◽  
Paolo Martinez ◽  
Salvatore Minisola

The present study aimed to investigate the prevalence and seasonal variation of hypovitaminosis D (defined as serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D level below 30 nmol/l) among healthy subjects and hospitalized patients living in central Italy. We studied 297 subjects, 131 in February 1997 and 166 in July 1997, subdivided into four groups: (a) young healthy blood donors; (b) healthy postmenopausal women; (c) inpatients with various medical diseases and (d) inpatients engaged in long-term rehabilitation programmes because of various neurological disorders. In all subjects and patients serum levels of 25-hydroxyvitamin D were measured by radioimmunoassay. We found a significant seasonal variation (P< 0·0001) of serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D levels, mean values being higher in summer in all groups, except in patients with a longer hospitalization time (group (d)). In each group, a significantly higher prevalence of hypovitaminosis D was found in winter compared with summer time (P< 0·001), being unexpectedly high in postmenopausal women (winter 32 % and summer 4·5 %); furthermore, in both seasons, inpatients were characterized by the highest incidences of hypovitaminosis, particularly those in group (d) (winter 82·3 % and summer 57·8 %). The results of the present study emphasize the importance of 25-hydroxyvitamin D measurement, and the need to increase vitamin D intake in Italy; foodstuff fortification and supplement use must be considered in order to prevent negative effects of vitamin D deficiency on skeletal integrity.


Nutrients ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 12 (9) ◽  
pp. 2719 ◽  
Author(s):  
Li-Kai Wang ◽  
Kuo-Chuan Hung ◽  
Yao-Tsung Lin ◽  
Ying-Jen Chang ◽  
Zhi-Fu Wu ◽  
...  

This study aimed at determining the prevalence and predictors of hypovitaminosis D (serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D < 30 ng/mL) among office workers in a subtropical region from an electronic hospital database. Totally, 2880 office workers aged 26–65 years who received health examinations with vitamin D status and total calcium concentrations at a tertiary referral center were retrospectively reviewed. Subjects were divided into groups according to genders, age (i.e., 26–35, 36–45, 46–55, 56–65), body-mass index (BMI) (i.e., obese BMI ≥ 30, overweight 25 ≤ BMI < 30, normal 20 ≤ BMI < 25, and underweight BMI < 20) and seasons (spring/winter vs. summer/autumn) for identifying the predictors of hypovitaminosis D. Corrected total calcium level <8.4 mg/dL is considered as hypocalcemia. Multivariate logistic regression demonstrated that females (AOR 2.33, (95% CI: 1.75, 3.09)), younger age (4.32 (2.98, 6.24), 2.82 (1.93, 4.12), 1.50 (1.03, 2.17)), and season (winter/spring) (1.55 (1.08, 2.22)) were predictors of hypovitaminosis D, whereas BMI was not in this study. Despite higher incidence of hypocalcemia in office workers with hypovitaminosis D (p < 0.001), there was no association between vitamin D status and corrected total calcium levels. A high prevalence (61.9%) of hypovitaminosis D among office workers in a subtropical region was found, highlighting the importance of this occupational health issue.


2020 ◽  
Vol 4 (Supplement_1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Azni Lihawa Abdul Wahab ◽  
Hans Gerhard Schneider

Abstract Clinical interest to evaluate serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D[25(OH)D] to assess Vitamin D status in health risks continue to increase exponentially over the last decade. Variability of 25(OH)D measurements remains controversial despite the international initiative Vitamin D Standardization Program (VDSP) to standardise the assays. The aim of the present study was to examine the correlation of 25(OH)D concentrations measured by different assays. We measured 25(OH)D using the new Abbott Alinity and DiaSorin LiaisonXL chemiluminescence immunoassays against the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST)-traceable liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) method. The immunoassay method were compared with the LC-MS/MS using Passing-Bablok regression and Bland-Altman analysis. Common 25(OH)D cut-point for classification of vitamin D deficiency was used to compare the different assays. 125 adult serum samples were randomly selected and measured 25(OH)D levels ranged between &lt;10 nmol/L to 290 nmol/L as determined by LC-MS/MS. Compared to the LC-MS/MS, both immunoassays demonstrated strong positive relationship based on Passing-Bablok regression analysis. The results were as follows: Abbott Alinity = 0.85x + 1.29nmol/L, 95% CI: -2.39 to 5.03 (r=0.94); DiaSorin LiaisonXL= 0.74x + 2.54nmol/L, 95% CI: -2.53 to 6.18 (r=0.91). Despite apparent good correlation, the overall mean bias was -12.6% for Abbott Alinity and -24.4% for DiaSorin LiaisonXL assays. A higher percentage of patients were classified as vitamin D deficient (25(OH)D &lt;50 nmol/L) using DiaSorin LiaisonXL (53%) followed by Abbott Alinity (49%), when compared with LC-MS/MS (34%). Using 25(OH)D ≥ 50nmol/L as “adequate” determined by LC-MS/MS method, 22% (18/82) and 28% (23/82) of patients were classified as “deficient” when analysed on Abbott Alinity and DiaSorin LiaisonXL respectively. Clinician should be aware of the inter-method variability among different Vitamin D assays despite standardization efforts. These differences could be due to cross-reactivity with 25(OH)D2 and vitamin D metabolites, such as 24,25(OH)2D and epimeric forms. 3-epi-25(OH)D is not separated chromatographically by the LC-MS/MS method used in this study. Therefore, the negative bias observed might be due to interference from the 3-epi-25(OH)D, whereby clinical significance is uncertain. It is present in low concentrations in adult human serum, 1 but seen in significant amounts in neonatal serum.2 It is advisable to monitor serum 25(OH)D level following treatment in the same laboratory. 1. Lensmeyer G, et al. The C-3 epimer of 25-hydroxyvitamin D3 is present in adult serum. JCEM 2012; 97: 163–8. 2. Singh RJ, et al. C-3 epimers can account for a significant portion of total circulating 25-hydroxyvitamin D in infants, complicating accurate measurement and interpretation of vitamin D status. JCEM 2006; 91: 3055-61.


2013 ◽  
Vol 169 (4) ◽  
pp. R59-R69 ◽  
Author(s):  
Elisabetta Romagnoli ◽  
Jessica Pepe ◽  
Sara Piemonte ◽  
Cristiana Cipriani ◽  
Salvatore Minisola

The growing attention to the role of vitamin D in skeletal and extra-skeletal diseases over the last decade induced an increased demand for vitamin D determination as well as a dramatic rise of sales of vitamin D supplement. However, several critical points in this field remain to be clarified. We lack a clear consensus about the definition of vitamin D deficiency, insufficiency, and sufficiency. The identification of different thresholds defining vitamin D status has relevant implications in clinical practice. In fact, the worldwide prevalence of low vitamin D status is highly varying according to the level of 25(OH)D utilized to define sufficiency. Therefore, the assessment of 25-hydroxyvitamin D levels may have a critical role, but a number of different technical problems associated with its determination may interfere in interpreting the results. The hydrophobic nature of vitamin D and the tight binding to its carrier (vitamin D binding protein), the different forms circulating in blood, and the issue of standardization are among the most important factors influencing the measurement of this metabolite. Another controversial point relies on the conflicting guidance on prevention and treatment of vitamin D deficiency endorsed by different medical and scientific communities. In particular, uncertainty exists about how to replete vitamin D stores, how to maintain normal 25(OH)D levels after repletion, which form of vitamin D is preferable for supplementation, and which route of administration and dosing regimens are advisable. Finally, concerns have been raised regarding vitamin D toxicity and its adverse effects.


Author(s):  
Nicholas Hutchings ◽  
Varta Babalyan ◽  
Annemieke C. Heijboer ◽  
Sisak Baghdasaryan ◽  
Mushegh Qefoyan ◽  
...  

Abstract Background Vitamin D plays a critical role in skeletal development and maintenance, thus sufficiency is an important goal for public health programs. Given the absence of foods fortified in vitamin D in Armenia, we hypothesized that vitamin D insufficiency would be widespread. Methods We conducted a random modified cluster model survey of vitamin D status of women in the country. We measured 25-hydroxyvitamin D [25(OH)D] by liquid chromatography mass spectrometry in dried blood spot samples and utilized a questionnaire to assess lifestyle factors. Results In summer, we sampled 1206 participants from 40 communities in Armenia. Mean 25-OH D level among women aged 18–24 was 20 ± 8 ng/mL; aged 25–64 was 21 ± 7 ng/mL; and >65 was 18 ± 8 ng/mL. The country-wide mean of the entire female population was 20 ± 8 ng/mL. A majority (>54%) had 25-OH D levels <20 ng/mL with nearly 13% having 25-OH D levels <12 ng/mL. Participants who reported calcium, vitamin D, or multivitamin supplementation had higher levels of 25-OH D (p values 0.004, 0.0002, and 0.03 respectively) as did pre- vs. postmenopausal women (p = 0.01), pregnant vs. nonpregnant women (p = <0.0001), and women who had experienced a sunburn in the past year (p = 0.004). Conclusion In Armenia, there is a high prevalence of vitamin D insufficiency. This information provides data that can be used to inform public health directives to address this pervasive threat to optimal health.


2019 ◽  
Vol 19 (2) ◽  
pp. 159-165 ◽  
Author(s):  
Vasiliki Sideri ◽  
George Antonakos ◽  
Andreas Fretzayas ◽  
Achilleas Attilakos ◽  
Charalambos Chrelias ◽  
...  

Background/Objectives: The aim of this work was to evaluate the current vitamin D status in healthy pregnant women and their newborns living in Greece and assess possible associations between 25(OH)D and anthropometric features of their fetuses and newborns. </P><P> Materials & Methods: 81 healthy women were monitored during pregnancy. Biochemical markers related to bone metabolism, 25(OH)D and PTH levels were measured in serum samples of mothernewborn pairs at 1st trimester of pregnancy and at delivery in mothers, in cord blood and at the 3rd day of life of newborns.Results:Maternal 25(OH)D levels at the 1st trimester of pregnancy (22.6±9.2ng/ml) were significantly higher than those at delivery (19.2±9.2ng/ml) (p<0.001). Furthermore, umbilical 25(OH)D levels (21.3±9.3ng/ml) were higher than maternal at delivery (p=0.005) and neonatal levels (19.4±10.4 ng/ml) (p=0.021). Only 57.3% of the mothers at the first trimester and 46.7% at delivery as well as 55.8% of the fetuses and 38.5% of the neonates had adequate vitamin D levels (25(OH)D≥30ng/ml). A significant positive correlation was found between fetal femur length at the 22nd week of gestation and maternal 25(ΟΗ)D at the 1st trimester of pregnancy (r=0.36, p=0.048) while body length was significantly higher in newborns whose mothers had sufficient 25(OH)D levels (51.5±2.1cm) compared with those whose mothers had insufficient or deficient 25(OH)D levels at delivery (50.6±2.0cm) (p=0.047).Conclusion:The study confirms inadequate levels of vitamin D in pregnant women in Greece associated with inadequate vitamin D levels of their fetuses and newborns.


2009 ◽  
Vol 102 (6) ◽  
pp. 876-881 ◽  
Author(s):  
Valerie A. Holmes ◽  
Maria S. Barnes ◽  
H. Denis Alexander ◽  
Peter McFaul ◽  
Julie M. W. Wallace

Maternal vitamin D insufficiency is associated with childhood rickets and longer-term problems including schizophrenia and type 1 diabetes. Whilst maternal vitamin D insufficiency is common in mothers with highly pigmented skin, little is known about vitamin D status of Caucasian pregnant women. The aim was to investigate vitamin D status in healthy Caucasian pregnant women and a group of age-matched non-pregnant controls living at 54–55°N. In a longitudinal study, plasma 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25(OH)D) was assessed in ninety-nine pregnant women at 12, 20 and 35 weeks of gestation, and in thirty-eight non-pregnant women sampled concurrently. Plasma 25(OH)D concentrations were lower in pregnant women compared to non-pregnant women (P < 0·0001). Of the pregnant women, 35, 44 and 16 % were classified as vitamin D deficient (25(OH)D < 25 nmol/l), and 96, 96 and 75 % were classified as vitamin D insufficient (25(OH)D < 50 nmol/l) at 12, 20 and 35 weeks gestation, respectively. Vitamin D status was higher in pregnant women who reported taking multivitamin supplements at 12 (P < 0·0001), 20 (P = 0·001) and 35 (P = 0·001) weeks gestation than in non-supplement users. Vitamin D insufficiency is evident in pregnant women living at 54–55°N. Women reporting use of vitamin D-containing supplements had higher vitamin D status, however, vitamin D insufficiency was still evident even in the face of supplement use. Given the potential consequences of hypovitaminosis D on health outcomes, vitamin D supplementation, perhaps at higher doses than currently available, is needed to improve maternal vitamin D nutriture.


Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document