Prevalence of hypovitaminosis D and folate deficiency in healthy young female Austrian students in a health care profession.

PURPOSE: We performed a single-day cross-sectional study to assess the prevalence of vitamin D deficiency as well as folate status in healthy young female volunteers well educated with respect to health information. METHODS: We assessed dietary intake of vitamin D and calcium, serum concentrations of 25-OH-vitamin D(3), folate, red blood cell folate and other dietary, laboratory, and lifestyle parameters in 215 young healthy women (age 18-30 years) on a single day at the end of the winter months. Primary aim was to investigate the prevalence of hypovitaminosis D. Folic acid status was a secondary study aim. RESULTS: Mean daily ingestion of vitamin D was 2.25 µg/day with a daily calcium intake of 749 mg/day. 6.9% had hypovitaminosis D (25-OH-vitamin D(3) <30 nmol/L) and 89.3% were vitamin D insufficient (<75 nmol/L). Preplanned subpopulation comparison (lower vs. upper quartile) revealed a significant negative correlation (P = 0.048) between plasma PTH and 25-OH-vitamin D(3) levels. Fifteen individuals (6.9%) were folic acid deficient (<140 ng/mL RBC folate). Only 9.3% reached RBC folate concentrations regarded as optimal for the prevention of fetal neural tube defects (>400 ng/mL). CONCLUSIONS: The prevalence of hypovitaminosis D in healthy young women trained in health care professions is low but 89.3% can be classified as vitamin D insufficient in spring. Folate status can also be considered not sufficient. Considering the emerging role of higher vitamin D plasma levels for many health conditions, a timely correction of vitamin D status in the general Austrian population appears appropriate.

[When is a clinical study non-commercial?]. / Wann ist eine klinische Studie nicht-kommerziell?

A non-commercial study is a research project not aiming at the protection of a commercial institution's interests. The classification of a clinical study as non-commercial or commercial makes sense and is important especially for clinical research teams, ethics committees and hospital owners because of relevant differences in the image and cost fields. The support of non-commercial studies by commercial institutions like pharmaceutical companies is permissible, unless it is tied to conditions impairing impartiality in respect of design, publication of study results or ownership of the assessed data. Specific relationships between the investigator and a company of the health industry potentially profiting from the study results (e.g. major share holdings or financial dependences) favour the classification of a study as commercial. The reliable classification of a study as non-commercial is only possible if all aids and grants, all conflicts of interest and special agreements are disclosed.

Austrian Moderate Altitude Study 2000 (AMAS 2000). The effects of moderate altitude (1,700 m) on cardiovascular and metabolic variables in patients with metabolic syndrome.

We investigated the changes in the cardiovascular system [resting blood pressure (BP) and heart rate (HR), measured by means of a 24-h ambulatory BP and a holter-electrocardiogram (ECG)], glycemic parameters, and lipid metabolism of subjects suffering from metabolic syndrome during a 3-week sojourn at 1,700 m in the Austrian Alps. A total of 22 male subjects with metabolic syndrome were selected. Baseline investigations were performed at Innsbruck (500 m above sea level). During the 3-week altitude stay the participants simulated a holiday with moderate sports activities. Examinations were performed on days 1, 4, 9, and 19. After returning to Innsbruck, post-altitude examinations were conducted after 7-10 days and 6-7 weeks, respectively. The 24-h ambulatory BP and holter ECG revealed a decrease in average HR, BP, and rate pressure product (RPP: systolic blood pressure x HR) after 3 weeks of altitude exposure. In some patients, an increase in premature ventricular beats was observed at the end compared to the beginning of the exposure to moderate altitude. The ECG revealed no ischemic ST-segment changes. Maximal physical capacity as measured by symptom-limited maximal cycle ergometry tests remained unchanged during the study. Six weeks after the altitude exposure the blood pressure increased again and returned to pretest levels. The Homeostasis Model Assessment index, which is a measure of insulin resistance, decreased significantly and glucose concentrations obtained after an oral glucose tolerance test were significantly lower after the stay at altitude compared to the basal values. We conclude that after a 3-week exposure to moderate altitude, patients with metabolic syndrome (1) tolerated their sojourn without any physical problems, (2) exhibited short-term favorable effects on the cardiovascular system, and (3) had significant improvements in glycemic parameters that were paralleled by a significant increase in high-density-lipoprotein-cholesterol.