Vitamin D levels in healthy men in eastern Saudi Arabia

Abstract

BACKGROUNDStudies in 1980s and 1990s indicated that vitamin D levels in the ethnic Saudi Arabian population were low but no studies since that time have evaluated vitamin D levels among healthy young or middle-aged Saudi men. Thus, we assessed the serum level of 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25OHD) among healthy Saudi Arabian men living in the Eastern Province.SUBJECTS AND METHODS:One hundred males aged 25-35 years (the age range of peak bone mass) and 100 males aged 50 years or older were randomly selected and evaluated clinically, including measurement of serum calcium, parathyroid hormone (PTH) and serum 25OHD levels. Vitamin D deficiency was defined as a serum level of 25OHD of ≤20 ng/mL and insufficiency as a serum level between >20 ng/mL and <30 ng/mL and normal ≥30 ng/mL.RESULTS:The mean (SD) age of subjects in the younger age group was 28.2 (4.5) years. Twenty-eight (28%) had low 25OHD levels; 10 (10%) subjects were vitamin D deficient with a mean level of 16.6 (3.4) ng/mL and 18 (18%) were vitamin D insufficient with a mean level of 25.4 (2.7) ng/mL. In the older age group, the mean age was 59.4 (15.6) years and 37 (37%) had low 25OHD; 12 (12%) subjects were deficient with a mean 25OHD level of 16.7 (3.4) ng/mL and 25 (25%) were insufficient with a mean 25OHD level of 25.3 (3.3) ng/mL.CONCLUSION:The prevalence of vitamin D deficiency among healthy Saudi men is between 28% to 37%. Vitamin D deficiency among young and middle age Saudi Arabian males could lead to serious health consequences if the issue is not urgently addressed.

Vitamin D Status in Jordan: Dress Style and Gender Discrepancies

“…While the present study targeted a nationally representative sample of the population, the other study enrolled 146 employees and trainees of the Islamic Hospital in Amman, Jordan. The reported prevalence of low vitamin D status in men was also higher in a recent study conducted in eastern Saudi Arabia (28% in men aged 25–35 years and 37% in men ≥50 years [17]. However, the sample in the Saudi study consisted of hospital employees (aged 25–35 years) or visitors (aged ≥50 years) and, thus, it may not be representative of the general population.…”

Photoprotection and vitamin D status: A study on awareness, knowledge and attitude towards sun protection in general population from Kuwait, and its relation with vitamin D levels

“…[24,25] Women in Saudi Arabia and their children have high prevalence of osteomalacia and rickets, respectively, and vitamin D deficiency because of their practice of wearing clothing over the whole body and avoiding direct sunlight. [26,27] A study from the United Arab Emirates in 2003 showed that hypovitaminosis D is common in summer in exclusively breast-feeding infants and their mothers.…”

Vitamin D in the Persian Gulf: Integrative Physiology and Socioeconomic Factors

“…Furthermore, in healthy Saudi men, 10% were deficient with a mean vitamin D level of 16.6 ng/mL and 18% were insufficient with a mean vitamin D level of 25.4 ng/mL. In the 50+ age group, 25% had insufficient 25(OH)D levels (mean level of 25.3 ng/mL), and 12% were deficient with a mean value of 16.6 ng/mL [24]. In Iran, over two thirds of pregnant women do not take vitamin D supplementation while pregnant [19].…”