Correlates of Calcidiol Deficiency in Adults-Cross-Sectional, Observational, Population-Based Study.

The prevalence, determinants, and clinical significance of vitamin D deficiency in the population are debated. The population-based study investigated the cross-sectional associations of several variables with serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D (calcidiol) measured using standardized calibrators. The study cohort consisted of 979 persons of the Moli-sani study, both sexes, ages ≥35 years. The correlates in the analyses were sex, age, education, local solar irradiance in the month preceding the visit, physical activity, anthropometry, diabetes, kidney function, albuminuria, blood pressure, serum cholesterol, smoking, alcohol intake, calorie intake, dietary vitamin D intake, and vitamin D supplement. The serum calcidiol was log transformed for linear regression because it was positively skewed (skewness = 1.16). The prevalence of calcidiol deficiency defined as serum calcidiol ≤12 ng/mL was 24.5%. In multi-variable regression, older age, lower solar irradiance, lower leisure physical activity, higher waist/hip ratio, higher systolic pressure, higher serum cholesterol, smoking, lower alcohol intake, and no vitamin D supplement were independent correlates of lower serum calcidiol (95% confidence interval of standardized regression coefficient ≠ 0) and of calcidiol deficiency (95% confidence interval of odds ratio > 1). The data indicate that low serum calcidiol in the population could reflect not only sun exposure, age, and vitamin D supplementation but also leisure physical activity, abdominal obesity, systolic hypertension, hypercholesterolemia, smoking, and alcohol intake.

Lack of association between vitamin D insufficiency and clinical outcomes of patients with COVID-19 infection.

BACKGROUND: A protective effect of vitamin D against COVID-19 infection is under investigation. We aimed to analyze the effect of vitamin D sufficiency on the clinical outcomes of patients infected with COVID-19. METHODS: In this cross-sectional study we analyzed the vitamin D levels of COVID-19 patients who were admitted to Razi Hospital (an infectious disease referral center in Mazandaran province in northern Iran) from February to March 2020. Overall, a cutoff point of 30 ng/mL was used for the definition of vitamin D sufficiency. RESULTS: One hundred fifty-three patients were analyzed in this study who had laboratory documentation of a 25(OH) D level at the time of hospitalization. The vitamin D levels of the patients were 27.19 ± 20.17 ng/mL. In total, 62.7% (n = 96) of the patients had a 25(OH) D level of less than 30 ng/mL and 37.25% (n = 57) had a 25(OH) D level of more than 30 ng/mL. In total, 49% (n = 75) of the patients suffered from at least one underlying disease. The univariate and multivariable regression showed that vitamin D sufficiency was not associated with a statistically significant lower risk of adverse clinical outcomes of COVID-19 such as duration of hospitalization and severity of infection (P > 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Sufficient vitamin D levels were not found to be protective against adverse clinical outcomes in patients infected with COVID-19. Chronic disorders in COVID-19 patients were found to have greater relevance than vitamin D levels in determining the adverse outcomes of the infection. Further studies are needed to determine the role of vitamin D level in predicting the outcomes of COVID-19 infection.

Association of Vitamin D Metabolism Gene Polymorphisms with Autoimmunity: Evidence in Population Genetic Studies.

A high prevalence of vitamin D (calcidiol) serum deficiency has been described in several autoimmune diseases, including multiple sclerosis (MS), rheumatoid arthritis (AR), and systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). Vitamin D is a potent immunonutrient that through its main metabolite calcitriol, regulates the immunomodulation of macrophages, dendritic cells, T and B lymphocytes, which express the vitamin D receptor (VDR), and they produce and respond to calcitriol. Genetic association studies have shown that up to 65% of vitamin D serum variance may be explained due to genetic background. The 90% of genetic variability takes place in the form of single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs), and SNPs in genes related to vitamin D metabolism have been linked to influence the calcidiol serum levels, such as in the vitamin D binding protein (VDBP; rs2282679 GC), 25-hydroxylase (rs10751657 CYP2R1), 1α-hydroxylase (rs10877012, CYP27B1) and the vitamin D receptor (FokI (rs2228570), BsmI (rs1544410), ApaI (rs7975232), and TaqI (rs731236) VDR). Therefore, the aim of this comprehensive literature review was to discuss the current findings of functional SNPs in GC, CYP2R1, CYP27B1, and VDR associated to genetic risk, and the most common clinical features of MS, RA, and SLE.

Vitamin D ameliorates adipose browning in chronic kidney disease cachexia.

Patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD) are often 25(OH)D3 and 1,25(OH)2D3 insufficient. We studied whether vitamin D repletion could correct aberrant adipose tissue and muscle metabolism in a mouse model of CKD-associated cachexia. Intraperitoneal administration of 25(OH)D3 and 1,25(OH)2D3 (75 µg/kg/day and 60 ng/kg/day respectively for 6 weeks) normalized serum concentrations of 25(OH)D3 and 1,25(OH)2D3 in CKD mice. Vitamin D repletion stimulated appetite, normalized weight gain, and improved fat and lean mass content in CKD mice. Vitamin D supplementation attenuated expression of key molecules involved in adipose tissue browning and ameliorated expression of thermogenic genes in adipose tissue and skeletal muscle in CKD mice. Furthermore, repletion of vitamin D improved skeletal muscle fiber size and in vivo muscle function, normalized muscle collagen content and attenuated muscle fat infiltration as well as pathogenetic molecular pathways related to muscle mass regulation in CKD mice. RNAseq analysis was performed on the gastrocnemius muscle. Ingenuity Pathway Analysis revealed that the top 12 differentially expressed genes in CKD were correlated with impaired muscle and neuron regeneration, enhanced muscle thermogenesis and fibrosis. Importantly, vitamin D repletion normalized the expression of those 12 genes in CKD mice. Vitamin D repletion may be an effective therapeutic strategy for adipose tissue browning and muscle wasting in CKD patients.

Prevalence of 25-OH-Vitamin D and Calcium Deficiency in Adolescent Idiopathic Scoliosis.

Several etiologies have been proposed as a basis and evolution theory for the development of adolescent idiopathic scoliosis, but limited data were published until now that link vitamin D and calcium deficiency to this condition. The present study aims to evaluate the relationship between 25-OH-Vitamin D, total calcium, and the following data: Cobb angle, age, and patient sex. The seasonal variation for vitamin D will also be taken into consideration. A total of 101 patients with a mean age of 11.61 ± 2.33 years had vitamin D and calcium levels tested. The mean Cobb angle was 26.21o ± 12.37. The level of vitamin D was, on average, 24 ng/mL ± 9.64. Calcium values were within the normal range, with an average of 9.82 mg/dL ± 0.42. The male group showed lower levels of vitamin D compared to the female group (19.6 vs. 25.45 ng/mL) (p = 0.02). Seasonal variations showed significant differences for vitamin D (p=.0001). Vitamin D level was positively correlated with the calcium level (p=0.01, r=0.973), but also with the patient's age (p <0.001, r=0.158). The Cobb angle was negatively correlated with serum vitamin D levels (p<0.01, r=-0.472). Patients included in this study had low vitamin D levels, significant differences being observed between boys and girls, boys being more affected. The positive correlation between vitamin D and calcium, together with the negative correlation with the Cobb angle, is yet another proof that patients with idiopathic scoliosis should be investigated regularly for these pathologies.

Preoperative serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D3 and the incidence of early pulmonary infection after pediatric living donor liver transplantation.

BACKGROUND: Pulmonary infection is a common complication in pediatric living donor liver transplantation (LDLT) recipients. It has been suggested that vitamin D has a role in immune defense against infection. Therefore, we investigated the effect of preoperative serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D3 (25(OH)D3 ) on the risk of pneumonia in hospitalized patients undergoing LDLT. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This study was a retrospective review of patient records. Fifty consecutive pediatric patients (aged < 14 years) who underwent LDLT from January 2017 to December 2017 were included. Pulmonary infection in the early postoperative period was diagnosed using clinical, radiological, or laboratory criteria. Preoperative serum 25(OH)D3 level, demographic characteristics, primary diagnosis, ascites, time to extubation, length of intensive care unit stay, and perioperative laboratory values were recorded. Vitamin D deficiency, insufficiency, and sufficiency were defined as a serum 25(OH)D3 concentration of less than 10, 10 to 20, and more than 20 ng/mL, respectively. Associations between serum 25(OH)D3 levels and pulmonary infection were analyzed. RESULTS: Of 50 pediatric patients who underwent LDLT, 19 (38%) developed pulmonary infections in the early postoperative period. The mean serum 25(OH)D3 level in these subjects was 18.7 ± 17.2 ng/mL (range, 3.0-70.0 ng/mL). Twenty patients (40%) had severe vitamin D deficiency (<10 ng/mL). The mean serum 25(OH)D3 level was significantly decreased (9.3 ± 7.4 vs 24.5 ± 19.1 ng/mL, P = .002) in patients with pulmonary infection compared with those without pulmonary infection. Serum 25(OH)D3 level as a continuous variable (odds ratio [OR], 0.90, 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.84-0.97, P = .008) and a classification variable (≤10 ng/mL) (OR, 7.42, 95% CI, 2.06-26.79, P = .002) were significantly associated with pulmonary infection in univariate analysis. After adjusting for other significant predictors (age, weight, and pediatric end-stage liver disease score), severe 25(OH)D3 deficiency at presentation was independently associated with a higher risk of developing pulmonary infection in the early postoperative period (OR, 5.11, 95% CI, 1.30-20.16, P = .02). CONCLUSIONS: 25(OH)D3 deficiency is common and inversely correlated with pulmonary infection within the first month after pediatric LDLT. Our results indicate that preoperative serum 25(OH)D3 deficiency is a potential biomarker for early pulmonary infection after pediatric LDLT.

Variation in plasma 25-hydroxyvitamin D2 and D3 in normal pregnancy with gestational age, sampling season, and complications: A longitudinal cohort study.

INTRODUCTION: Low levels of vitamin D in pregnancy have been associated with the risk of a variety of pregnancy outcomes. Few studies have investigated vitamin D concentrations throughout pregnancy in healthy women, and most guidelines recommend high vitamin D levels. In the present study, we investigated 25-hydroxyvitamin D concentrations in healthy Caucasian Danish women in relation to season, gestational age and possible vitamin D-linked complications. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Eight hundred and one healthy Caucasian Danish women with an expected normal pregnancy were recruited among 2147 women attending first trimester screening. Seven blood samplings were planned throughout the pregnancy and delivery period. The 25-hydroxyvitamin D2 (25(OH)D2) and 25-hydroxyvitamin D3 (25(OH)D3) concentrations were measured by LC-MS/MS and total 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25(OH)D) were calculated. RESULTS: A total of 3304 samples from 694 women were available for 25(OH)D measurements. The mean (25th-75th percentiles) concentrations of 25(OH)D, 25(OH)D3, and 25(OH)D2 were 54.6 (38.8-68.6) nmol/L, 52.2 (36.4-66.4) nmol/L, and 2.4 (2.2-2.2) nmol/L, respectively. Season was the strongest predictor of 25(OH)D concentration, with the lowest values observed in winter and spring, where only 42% and 41% of samples, respectively, were above 50 nmol/L. Nearly all women had values below the suggested optimal level of 75 nmol/L, independent of season. 25(OH)D peaked at gestational weeks 21-34. Plasma 25(OH)D2 levels were low in all seasons. Women with complications during pregnancy had higher 25(OH)D (estimated difference 9.8 nmol/L, standard error 2.7, p<0.001) than did women without complications, and women giving birth vaginally had lower 25(OH)D than did those delivering via elective (10.0 nmol/L, standard error 2.1, p<0.001) or emergency cesarean section (6.8 nmol/L, standard error 2.2, p<0.001). CONCLUSION: The 25(OH)D concentrations vary with both season and gestational age. Healthy women had lower 25(OH)D concentrations than recommended, without an association with an increased risk of pregnancy complications. Guidelines for vitamin D in pregnancy may require revision.

Serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D3 levels and poor sleep quality in a Japanese population: the DOSANCO Health Study.

OBJECTIVE: The present cross-sectional study investigated the relationship between serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D3 (25[OH]D3) levels and the presence of poor sleep quality in a community-based Japanese adult population. METHODS: Poor sleep quality, defined as poor subjective sleep quality and/or use of sleep medications, was assessed using a self-administered questionnaire. The prevalence of poor sleep quality was compared among 512 Japanese participants aged 35-79 years, based on serum 25(OH)D3 levels, which were determined using tandem mass spectrometry. A logistic regression model was used to calculate the odds ratios (ORs) for the presence of poor sleep quality in each group with the highest quartile of 25(OH)D3 serving as the reference group. RESULTS: Poor sleep quality was reported by 33.2% of the total study population. The prevalence of poor sleep quality was higher in the first quartile group (25[OH]D3: 2.08-18.13 ng/mL) than in the second, third and fourth quartile groups (18.14-23.07 ng/mL, 23.08-28.32 ng/mL, and 28.33-78.83 ng/mL, respectively). The ORs for poor sleep quality were 1.86 (95% confidence interval, 1.08-3.20) for the first quartile group, 0.73 (0.41-1.29) for the second quartile group, and 0.73 (0.42-1.27) for the third quartile group after adjusting for age, sex, and sociodemographic, lifestyle, physical and environmental factors, while the ORs were 1.68 (0.96-2.95), 0.69 (0.39-1.24), and 0.65 (0.37-1.15) after further adjustment for overall health status and depression status. CONCLUSIONS: The first quartile group of serum 25(OH)D3 was associated with the presence of poor sleep quality.

Associations among two vitamin D receptor (VDR) gene polymorphisms (ApaI and TaqI) in acne vulgaris: A pilot susceptibility study.

BACKGROUND: Acne vulgaris (AV) pathogenesis is multifactorial. Vitamin D (VitD) plays an important role in sebocytes' differentiation and function. Most VitD functions are mediated by the nuclear VitD receptor (VDR) following binding of its biologically active form (1,25 dihydroxyvitamin D3). Genetic variations in VDR gene may cause significant receptor dysfunction and have been found to be associated with many inflammatory skin diseases. Two adjacent single nucleotide polymorphisms of VDR, ApaI (rs7975232) and TaqI (rs731236), were commonly studied. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the association between VDR ApaI and TaqI gene polymorphism and AV. METHODS: This case control study included 30 Egyptian acne patients who attended Dermatology Outpatient Clinic of Al-Zahraa University and Misr University for Science and Technology Hospitals. Thirty age- and sex-matched healthy individuals participated as controls. VDR gene ApaI and TaqI polymorphisms were examined by polymerase chain reaction restriction fragment length polymorphism. Serum 25(OH)D was measured in all participants. RESULTS: Patients had significant decrease in ApaI A allele and AATT combined genotype (60%, 3.3%) than controls (78.3%, 20%), respectively, and significant increase in TaqI tt genotype and t allele (46.7%, 63.3%) than controls (13.3%, 41.7%), respectively. Patients showed significantly lower serum 25(OH)D3 concentration than controls. CONCLUSION: Polymorphisms of ApaI and TaqI may have a role in the pathogenesis of AV as A allele and AATT combined genotype could be considered protective against acne development and tt genotype and t allele may increase the risk of AV development. VitD deficiency can be considered as a risk factor for AV development.

Vitamin D levels in patients with recurrent aphthous stomatitis.

BACKGROUND: Lower serum vitamin D levels, a major public health problem worldwide, has been found to be associated with various infectious diseases, cancers, autoimmune and dermatological diseases. The serum levels of vitamin D in patients with recurrent aphthous stomatitis are not clear. We investigated the vitamin D levels in patients with recurrent aphthous stomatitis. METHODS: Forty patients with recurrent aphthous stomatitis (Group I) and 70 healthy controls (Group II) included in the study. The characteristics of aphthous lesions (duration of disease and remission, frequency, diameter and number of the lesions) and demographics of the participants were recorded. Serum 25-hydroxycholecalciferol levels were measured using electrochemiluminescence binding method. RESULTS: There was no statistically significant difference between the groups in terms of age (p = 0.06) and sex (p = 0.4). Other baseline characteristics were not significantly different between the groups (p > 0.05 for all). The mean diameter of aphthous lesions was 0.5 (0.4-0.6) cm and the mean number of lesions was 2.2 ± 1.5. Serum vitamin D levels were 11 ± 7.04 ng/ml in Group I and 16.4 ± 10.19 ng/ml in Group II. Serum vitamin D levels were significantly lower in patients with recurrent aphthous stomatitis (p = 0.004). CONCLUSIONS: The present study showed lower vitamin D levels in patients with recurrent aphthous stomatitis compared to healthy controls.

Measured free 25-hydroxyvitamin D in healthy children and relationship to total 25-hydroxyvitamin D, calculated free 25-hydroxyvitamin D and vitamin D binding protein.

BACKGROUND: vitamin D deficiency in children is still a global health problem. Measuring free 25-hydroxyvitamin D concentrations could provide a better estimate of the vitamin D status than total 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25(OH)D) levels. OBJECTIVE: To assess the relationship between measured free vitamin D (m-f25(OH)D) and calculated free 25(OH)D (c-f25(OH)D), total 25(OH)D, intact parathyroid hormone (iPTH) and other markers of phosphocalcic metabolism. To establish serum m-f25(OH)D concentrations corresponding to a total 25(OH)D > 50 nmol/L which is accepted as vitamin D-sufficiency status in children. DESIGN: Prospective cohort study. SETTING: January and February 2017 in a Mediterranean population. PATIENTS: healthy children. MEASUREMENTS: m-f25(OH)D and vitamin D binding protein (VDBP) by ELISA. Free 25(OH)D was calculated using the formula described by Bikle. RESULTS: m-f25(OH)D directly correlated with total 25(OH)D (r:0.804,p < .001), serum calcium (r:0.26,p:0.035), and c-f25(OH)D (r:0.553,p:0.016); and inversely with iPTH (r:-0.374, p:0.002), alkaline phosphatase (r:-0.28, p:0.026), and age (r:-0.289, p:0.018). Total 25(OH)D correlated with the same parameters as m-f25(OH)D except for serum calcium. However, c-f25(OH)D correlated only with total 25(OH)D and VDBP, both included in the calculation formula. Multiple regression analysis showed that m-f25(OH)D variations were independently explained by calcium (ß:0.156, p:0.026) and total 25(OH)D (ß:0.043, p < .001). The optimal m-f25(OH)D cut-off for discriminating between insufficient and sufficient total 25(OH)D was >9.8 pmol/L (Area Under Curve (AUC): 0.897 (95% confidence interval (CI): (0.798-0.958); p < .001; sensitivity:72.7% (95%CI: 49.8-89.3); specificity: 95.5% (95%CI: 84.5-99.4)). CONCLUSIONS: Directly measured free vitamin D correlated better with markers of phosphocalcic metabolism than total 25(OH)D and c-f25(OH)D in a population of healthy children.

Vitamin D in acutely ill patients.

Objective To investigate 25(OH)D3 levels and their relationship to survival in a cohort of acutely ill patients on admission to an intensive care unit. Methods This study enrolled acutely ill patients at admission to an intensive care unit and a group of sex- and age-matched healthy control subjects. The 25(OH)D3 levels were measured using an enzyme immunoassay. C-reactive protein and procalcitonin levels were also measured using immunoassays. Results A total of 50 acutely ill patients and 50 healthy control subjects were enrolled in the study. The mean ± SEM 25(OH)D3 levels were significantly lower in the acutely ill patients compared with the control group (11.74 ± 0.88 ng/ml versus 24.66 ± 1.60 ng/ml, respectively). The 25(OH)D3 levels were not related to survival. An inverse relationship was observed between 25(OH)D3 levels and C-reactive protein levels. A weak inverse relationship was also observed between 25(OH)D3 levels and procalcitonin levels. Conclusions The 25(OH)D3 levels were decreased in acutely ill patients admitted to an intensive care unit compared with healthy control subjects. 25(OH)D3 levels may be inversely related to C-reactive protein and procalcitonin levels.

Vitamin D Regulates Maternal T-Helper Cytokine Production in Infertile Women.

Vitamin D (VD) deficiency is associated with reproductive failure. However, the relationship between VD and maternal immunity remains unclear. We investigated the clinical efficacy of VD in maternal T-helper (Th) cytokines in 276 infertile women and examined for Th1 and Th2 cells based on the deficient, insufficient, and sufficient serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D3 (25[OH]VD) levels (<12, 12⁻30, and >30 ng/mL, respectively). Most infertile women had a low-level of VD (87.3%). Immunological tests of pre-/post-VD supplementation were performed in patients who were deficient and insufficient in VD. Of 23 patients, 11 (47.8%) exhibited sufficient VD levels after supplementation. Th1/Th2 cell ratio in patients with insufficient VD was significantly decreased after supplementation (p = 0.004). After supplementation, serum 25(OH)VD levels of the patients: 11 in the sufficient group showed significant decreases in Th1 cell level and Th1/Th2 cell ratio (p = 0.032 and 0.010, respectively), whereas no significant differences in Th1/Th2 cell ratio were recognized in the insufficient group. Furthermore, mid-luteal endometrial biopsies (n = 18) were processed for primary cultures and measured interferon [IFN]-γ and interleukin [IL]-4 in condition media. Decidualizing cultures with 1,25-dihydroxvitamin D3 (1,25[OH]2VD) decreased IFN-γ. Sufficient VD supplementation in women with insufficient VD may optimize maternal T-helper cytokines during pregnancy via rebalancing the Th1/Th2 cell ratio.

Effect of vitamin D deficiency in Korean patients with acute respiratory distress syndrome.

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Vitamin D modulates innate and adaptive immune responses, and vitamin D deficiency is associated with increased mortality in hospitalized patients with pneumonia. We evaluated the prevalence of vitamin D deficiency in Korean patients with acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) and its effect on the clinical outcomes of ARDS. METHODS: We retrospectively analyzed the data of 108 patients who had a measured serum level of 25-hydroxy vitamin D3 (25(OH)D3) at the time of diagnosis with ARDS. The clinical outcomes were evaluated based on 25(OH)D3 levels of 20 ng/mL and stratified by quartiles of 25(OH)D3 levels. RESULTS: The mean age of patients was 59.4 years old; 77 (71.3%) were male. Vitamin D deficiency was found in 103 patients (95.4%). The mean 25(OH)D3 level was 8.3 ± 7.0 ng/mL. Neither in-hospital mortality (40.0% vs. 68.0%) nor 6-month mortality (40.0% vs. 71.8%) significantly differed between groups. There were no significant differences in 25(OH)D3 level between survivors (8.1 ± 7.6 ng/mL) and non-survivors (8.5 ± 6.8 ng/mL, p = 0.765). There were no trends toward a difference in mortality among quartiles of 25(OH)D3 levels. However, 25(OH)D3 levels were inversely related with length of hospital stay and intensive care unit stay among in-hospital survivors. CONCLUSION: Vitamin D deficiency was prevalent in Korean patients with ARDS. However, levels of vitamin D were not associated with mortality. A large, prospective study is needed to evaluate the effects of vitamin D deficiency on clinical outcomes of ARDS.

[Prevalence of hypovitaminosis D and associated factors in Spanish population of school children and adolescents]. / Prevalencia de hipovitaminosis D y factores asociados en la edad infantojuvenil.

OBJECTIVE: To analyse the prevalence of hypovitaminosisD and associated factors in school children and adolescents living in a region of northern Spain. DESIGN: Cross-sectional study (convenience sampling). SETTING: Primary Health Care. PARTICIPANTS: A total of 602 Caucasian individuals (aged 3.1 to 15.4years) were included in the study. MAIN MEASUREMENTS: Prevalence of hypovitaminosisD were calculated (dependent variable). HypovitaminosisD is defined according to the US Endocrine Society criteria: deficiency (calcidiol <20ng/mL), insufficiency (calcidiol: 20-29ng/mL), and sufficiency (calcidiol ≥30ng/mL). Gender, age, body mass index, residence, and season of the year were recorded (independent variables), and their association with hypovitaminosisD was analysed by multiple regression. RESULTS: The prevalence of hypovitaminosisD was 60.4% (insufficiency: 44.6%; deficiency: 15.8%). Multivariate analysis showed that factors associated to hypovitaminosisD were being female (OR: 1.6; 95%CI: 1.1-2.3), pubertal age (OR: 1.8; 95%CI: 1.2-2.6), autumn (OR: 9.5; 95%CI: 4.8-18.7), winter (OR: 8.8; 95%CI: 4.5-17.5) and spring time (OR: 13.2; 95%CI: 6.4-27.5), living in urban areas (OR:1.6; CI95%: 1.1-2.2), and severe obesity (OR: 4.4; 95%CI: 1.9-10.3). CONCLUSIONS: There is a high prevalence of hypovitaminosisD in juvenile populations. being female, pubertal age, autumn, winter and spring seasons, severe obesity, and living in urban areas are factors associated to hypovitaminosisD. Consideration should be given to the administration of vitamin supplements and/or the increase in the ingestion of natural vitaminD dietary sources.

Prevalence and Trends of Vitamin D Deficiency among Iranian Adults: A Longitudinal Study from 2001-2013.

Vitamin D deficiency/insufficiency is currently considered to be a re-emerging public health problem globally. This study was designed to determine the prevalence of vitamin D deficiency and insufficiency and to investigate its trend from 2001 to 2013 in a longitudinal study of Iranian adults. This study was part of a population-based, longitudinal ongoing study of Iranian healthy adults aged 35 y and older at baseline. Serum vitamin D level was assessed in a sub-sample of 370 subjects, who were apparently healthy at the time of recruitment in 2001 and were free from MetS, in three phases (2001, 2007 and 2013) during the 12-y study period. Adjusted prevalence and trend of vitamin D deficiency were calculated. Mean serum vitamin D levels increased over the time of the study (52.12, 54.27 and 62.28 nmol/L, respectively) and the prevalence of vitamin D deficiency decreased (30.5, 27.0 and 24.4, respectively). However, the prevalence of vitamin D insufficiency did not change over this time period. The risk of vitamin D deficiency decreased significantly in 2007 [OR: 0.73 (95% CI: 0.53, 0.99)] and 2013 [OR: 0.50 (95% CI: 0.36, 0.70)] compared to the baseline. The present study demonstrated some improvement in serum vitamin D levels, while the prevalence of vitamin D inadequacy was still high. Considering the possible health consequences of vitamin D deficiency, there is an urgent need for developing population-wide strategies, such as supplementation and fortification, to prevent or control vitamin D deficiency.

The High Prevalence of Vitamin D Insufficiency in Cord Blood in Calgary, Alberta (APrON-D Study).

OBJECTIVE: Vitamin D is important in promoting healthy pregnancy and fetal development. We undertook this study to measure 25-hydroxyvitamin D in maternal and cord blood and to identify maternal factors related to vitamin D status in Calgary. METHODS: Blood samples collected at the time of delivery from the Alberta Pregnancy Outcomes and Nutrition study cohort (ApronStudy.ca) participants were processed for plasma and assayed using liquid chromatography mass spectrometry methodology for 25(OH)D3. RESULTS: Ninety-two pairs of maternal and cord blood samples were obtained. The prevalence of 25(OH)D3 insufficiency-25(OH)D3 <75 nmol/L-was 38% and 80% in women and neonates, respectively. Vitamin D supplementation was the only clinical factor associated with 25(OH)D3 sufficiency, and the odds of sufficiency were 3.75 (95% CI 1.00 to 14.07) higher for women and 5.27 (95% CI 1.37 to 20.27) when over 2000 IU/day were used. CONCLUSION: Using liquid chromatography mass spectrometry, we demonstrated a very high prevalence of vitamin D insufficiency in cord blood and that the use of high dose vitamin D was associated with greater odds of sufficiency in pregnant women and cord blood in Alberta.

Effect of isolated vitamin D supplementation on the rate of falls and postural balance in postmenopausal women fallers: a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effect of isolated vitamin D supplementation (VITD) on the rate of falls and postural balance in postmenopausal women fallers. METHODS: In this double-blind, placebo-controlled trial, 160 Brazilian younger postmenopausal women were randomized into two groups: VITD group, vitamin D3 supplementation 1,000 IU/day/orally (n = 80) and placebo group (n = 80). Women with amenorrhea at least 12 months, age 50 to 65 years, and a history of falls (previous 12 months) were included. Those with neurological or musculoskeletal disorders, vestibulopathies, drugs use that could affect balance and osteoporosis were excluded. The intervention time was 9 months. Postural balance was assessed by stabilometry (computerized force platform) and investigation on the occurrence/recurrence of falls was performed by interviews. The plasma concentration of 25-hydroxyvitamin D [25(OH)D] was measured by high-performance liquid chromatography. Statistical analysis was achieved by intention-to-treat, using analysis of variance, Student's t test, Tukey test, chi-square, and logistic regression. RESULTS: After 9 months, mean values of 25(OH)D increased from 15.0 ±â€Š7.5 ng/mL to 27.5 ±â€Š10.4 ng/mL (+45.4%) in the VITD group, and decreased from 16.9 ±â€Š6.7 ng/mL to 13.8 ±â€Š6.0 ng/mL (-18.5%) in the placebo group (P < 0.001). The occurrence of falls was higher in the placebo group (+46.3%) with an adjusted risk of 1.95 (95% confidence interval [CI] 1.23-3.08) times more likely to fall and 2.80 (95% CI 1.43-5.50) times higher for recurrent falls compared to the VITD group (P < 0.001). There was reduction in body sway by stabilometry, with lower amplitude of antero-posterior (-35.5%) and latero-lateral (-37.0%) oscillation, only in the VITD group (P < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: In Brazilian postmenopausal women fallers, isolated vitamin D supplementation for 9 months resulted in a lower incidence of falls and improvement in postural balance.

Vitamin D deficiency and placental calcification in low-risk obstetric population: are they related?

OBJECTIVE: We aimed to evaluate the relationship between placental calcification and maternal and cord blood 25-hydroxyvitamin-D3 [25(OH)D] and calcium concentrations in low-risk obstetric population at term and their consequences. METHODS: Sixty non-complicated pregnant women at term admitted to maternity clinic were included in this prospective case-control study and classified into one of two groups according to grade of placental calcification by defined the Grannum classification: Group 1 (n=30), with Grade 3 placenta and Group 2 (n=30), the control group, no placental calcification noted. Baseline characteristics, maternal serum and umbilical cord 25(OH)D and calcium levels were compared between groups. RESULTS: The mean age of subjects was 26.4 ± 5.7 years. The mean serum 25(OH)D concentration of women (n=60) was 9.3 ± 3.4 (range 5.59-15.48) ng/mL. The prevalence of vitamin D deficiency [25(OH)D <20 ng/mL] was 100%. Maternal serum and cord blood calcium levels were significantly higher in Group 1 (p=0.036; p=0.037, respectively). In Group 2, maternal serum and cord blood 25(OH)D levels were higher than Group 1 (11.35 ± 6.54 and 10.22 ± 3.59 versus 9.6 ± 4.2 and 9.07 ± 2.43 ng/mL); but the difference is not statistically significant. CONCLUSIONS: Higher maternal calcium and lower 25(OH)D levels detected in patients with Grade 3 placental calcification indicated the importance of placenta on vitamin D regulation.