Low 25-Hydroxyvitamin D and Normal Serum Calcium Concentrations in Saudi Arabia: Riyadh Region

Abstract

Serum levels of the circulating form of vitamin D, 25-hydroxyvitamin D, and calcium were measured in 104 Saudis, 44 Jordanians, 17 Egyptians and 10 other subjects aged between 18 and 23 years. All subjects were male university students living in Riyadh for more than 2 years. 25-Hydroxyvitamin D levels were (mean ± SD) 12.8 ± 6.3, 11.0 ± 5.8, 11.9 ± 6.9 and 11.9 ± 5.0 ng/ml, respectively. The percentages of subjects with serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D levels below 10 ng/ml were 35, 45, 53 and 50% for normal Saudis, Jordanians, Egyptians and others, respectively. All subjects had normal serum calcium concentrations. There was no correlation between 25-hydroxyvitamin D and serum calcium levels in the subjects investigated. This study indicates a tendency for a low vitamin D status among residents of Saudi Arabia, in spite of abundant sunlight all the year round.

Effects of different doses of oral cholecalciferol on serum 25(OH)D, PTH, calcium and bone markers during fall and winter in schoolchildren

“…According to the data provided, 30-70% of people from different communities have varying degrees of hypovitaminosis D (Sedrani, 1984;El-Hajj Fuleihan et al, 2001;Nesby-O'Dell et al, 2002;Gordon et al, 2004;Vieth, 2004;Sullivan et al, 2005;Bodnar et al, 2007).…”

Vitamin D3 serum level in patients with multiple sclerosis

“…12,13 In the present study, the number of people with vitamin D3 deficiency or insufficient levels of the vitamin was high …”

Parallel Assessment of Bone Mineral Density and RANKL/OPG Ratio in Saudi Females

“…No significant association has been found between low BMD and sun exposure. Some studies have attributed the high prevalence of osteomalacia and vitamin D deficiencies in Saudi Arabian women to their cultural practice of wearing clothing that covers the entire body and face, which could prevent direct exposure to sunlight (30,36). Other Saudi studies also found a direct positive correlation between sun exposure and serum levels of vitamin D (37).…”