Vitamin D deficiency in Europe: pandemic?

Abstract

Background: Vitamin D deficiency has been described as being pandemic, but serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D [25(OH)D] distribution data for the European Union are of very variable quality. The NIH-led international Vitamin D Standardization Program (VDSP) has developed protocols for standardizing existing 25(OH)D values from national health/nutrition surveys.Objective: This study applied VDSP protocols to serum 25(OH)D data from representative childhood/teenage and adult/older adult European populations, representing a sizable geographical footprint, to better quantify the prevalence of vitamin D deficiency in Europe.Design: The VDSP protocols were applied in 14 population studies [reanalysis of subsets of serum 25(OH)D in 11 studies and complete analysis of all samples from 3 studies that had not previously measured it] by using certified liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry on biobanked sera. These data were combined with standardized serum 25(OH)D data from 4 previously standardized studies (for a total n = 55,844). Prevalence estimates of vitamin D deficiency [using various serum 25(OH)D thresholds] were generated on the basis of standardized 25(OH)D data.Results: An overall pooled estimate, irrespective of age group, ethnic mix, and latitude of study populations, showed that 13.0% of the 55,844 European individuals had serum 25(OH)D concentrations <30 nmol/L on average in the year, with 17.7% and 8.3% in those sampled during the extended winter (October–March) and summer (April–November) periods, respectively. According to an alternate suggested definition of vitamin D deficiency (<50 nmol/L), the prevalence was 40.4%. Dark-skinned ethnic subgroups had much higher (3- to 71-fold) prevalence of serum 25(OH)D <30 nmol/L than did white populations.Conclusions: Vitamin D deficiency is evident throughout the European population at prevalence rates that are concerning and that require action from a public health perspective. What direction these strategies take will depend on European policy but should aim to ensure vitamin D intakes that are protective against vitamin D deficiency in the majority of the European population.

Arterial stiffness and 25-hydroxyvitamin D levels in chronic kidney disease patients

“…Studies conducted with healthy subjects found 25(OH)D deficiency at rates of 42% in America, 19 40.4% in Europe 20 and 60% in Eastern countries. 21 A meta-analysis showed that 88% of healthy individuals have 25(OH)D lower than 30 ng/mL.…”

Vitamin D in adolescence: evidence-based dietary requirements and implications for public health policy

“…in the range of 12-40%, compared to 4-7% in younger children (1-14 years), 9-24% in adults (19-60 124 years) and 1-8% in older adults (> 61 years) (37) . , which may be due to behavioural (e.g.…”

Vitamina D em pediatria

“…Na Suécia, um estudo observou uma prevalência de 34% de DVD (concentrações sérias de 25(OH)D ≤ 20ng/ml) entre crianças e adolescentes com idades entre 1 a 18 anos 41 . Cashman e cols (2016) 52 verificaram uma prevalência de 7% de DVD (concentrações sérias de 25(OH)D <12ng/ml) em crianças e adolescentes europeus. Em um trabalho realizado com crianças americanas de 6 a 36 meses de idade encontrou-se uma prevalência de 15% de concentrações séricas de 25(OH)D ≤20ng/ml 38 .…”