The status of serum vitamin D in the population of the United Arab Emirates

Research exploring the status of serum vitamin D levels in the populations of countries bordering the Arabian Gulf shows a high prevalence of vitamin D deficiency/insufficiency. These reports were usually drawn from small samples unlikely to be representative of the population. We explored serum vitamin D level in a large sample [7924] of patients who were given a blood test to check their vitamin D status on their first consultation at a day surgery hospital in Dubai. The overall mean level of 25[OH] D was tilde 20 ng/mL Deficiency was found among all age groups, in both sexes and in both local and non-local populations: overall 85.4% were vitamin D deficient, 12.5% showed insufficient serum vitamin D level, and only 2.1% had an appropriate level. In the multivariate model, serum vitamin D concentrations were positively correlated with male sex, local population and the 17-31 years age group

Les travaux de recherche se penchant sur le statut des concentrations sériques de vitamine D dans les populations des pays bordant le Golfe arabique montrent une forte prévalence de la carence/l'insuffisance en vitamine D. Ces rapports s'appuyaient habituellement sur de petits échantillons qui n'étaient certainement pas représentatifs de la population. Nous avons étudié la concentration en vitamine D dans un grand échantillon de patients [7924] qui ont été soumis à un examen sanguin pour vérifier leur statut en vitamine D lors de leur première consultation dans un hôpital chirurgical de jour de Dubai. La concentration moyenne globale de 25[OH] D était d'environ 20 ng/mL. Une carence a été observée dans tous les groupes d'âge, pour les deux sexes et dans les populations locales et non locales. Globalement, 85,4% d'entre eux avaient une carence en vitamine D, 12,5% montraient une concentration sérique en vitamine D insuffisante, et seulement 2,1% avaient une concentration adéquate. Dans le modèle multivarié, les concentrations sériques de vitamine D avaient une corrélation positive avec le sexe masculin, la population locale et le groupe d'âge des 17-31 ans

Pilot study of sunlight exposure and vitamin D status in Arab women of childbearing age

Vitamin D deficiency is common in Arab women, In a pilot study we investigated the effect of sun exposure at recommended levels on the vitamin D status of Arab women. Eight healthy Arab women of child-bearing age consented to expose their face, arms and hands for 15 minutes per day twice a week for 4 weeks within the privacy of their courtyard and to avoid changes in dietary vitamin D intake. Serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D [25[OH]] levels were measured pre- and post-intervention. Although vitamin D levels remained sub-optimal, median serum 25[OH]D levels were significantly higher post-intervention [23.0 nmol/L] than pre-intervention [17.6 nmol/L]. Extending sun exposure for more than 4 weeks should be investigated as part of strategies to improve vitamin D status in high-risk Arab women who lack outdoor sun exposure to the skin

High prevalence of vitamin D deficiency in the sunny Eastern region of Saudi Arabia: a hospital-based study

This study evaluated the vitamin D status of a cohort of healthy young Saudi Arabians in the Eastern region of Saudi Arabia. A sample of 139 blood donors [87 males and 52 females] answered a questionnaire about their clinical history, including intake of vitamin D supplements and calcium-rich foods and exposure to sunshine. Blood samples were taken for routine biochemistry, serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D [25[OH]3] and plasma parathyroid hormone [PTH] levels. Serum 25 [OH]D levels did not differ significantly between males and females, although the levels were low [10.1 [SD 4.6] ng/mL and 9.9 [SD 4.5] ng/mL respectively]. When subjects with elevated PTH levels were excluded, serum 25[OH]3 levels were still in the deficiency range. There was a high prevalence of a vitamin D deficiency in this sample of Saudi Arabians despite > 65% of participants having adequate exposure to sunlight and > 90% reporting adequati intake of dairy products

Current maternal-infant micronutrient status and the effects on birth weight in the United Arab Emirates

Micronutrient deficiencies exist among women of childbearing age in the United Arab Emirates but the effects of maternal micronutrient deficiency on fetal growth are not well documented. To investigate the association between micronutrients and birth weight, we measured maternal and cord blood micronutrients [vitamin A, C, D, and E] and ferritin in 84 term, singleton infants born to healthy Arab and South Asian women at Al-Ain hospital. Median serum ascorbic acid and 25-hydroxyvitamin D [25-OHD] concentrations were low in mothers and infants. In multivariate analysis, maternal serum 25-OHD correlated positively with birth weight while serum ferritin showed a negative correlation