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

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