Vitamin D Status and Its Associated Risk Factors among Adults in the Southwest Region of Cameroon

Abstract

Background Vitamin D has been shown to exert its actions on the musculoskeletal, gastrointestinal, prostate, renal, endocrine, immune, and cardiovascular systems. Current reported data of hypovitaminosis D reveals a global pandemic, with an estimated one billion people worldwide presenting with hypovitaminosis D. Objective This study aimed at investigating the vitamin D status and its associated risk factors in Cameroonians from the South West Region. Method The study was a community- and hospital-based prospective longitudinal study. It was carried out during the dry and rainy seasons between the months of July and December 2015 in the South West Region of Cameroon involving 372 participants aged 35 years and above. After obtaining informed consent, a structured questionnaire was used to capture demographic data and risk factors of vitamin D deficiency. Blood samples were collected from the volunteer participants in the peak months of the rainy season and dry season, and the serum used to analyse for vitamin D by ELISA and calcium by spectrophotometry. 25(OH)D levels ≥75 nmol/L (≥30 ng/mL) were considered sufficient while levels <75 nmol/L were considered as hypovitaminosis D (insufficiency/deficiency). Results Hypovitaminosis D (deficiency/insufficiency) was prevalent in 25.8% (96) of the study population, with only 3.2% (12) deficiency and 22.6% (84) insufficiency. There was a significant inverse relationship (r=−0.119, p=0.02) between age and 25(OH)D levels; however, this relationship was not significant when controlled for gender, number of hours spent outdoors, and percentage of body covered. Gender, ethnic origin, percentage of body covered, time spent outdoors, and season did not influence serum vitamin D levels. Conclusion Results of this study suggest that the prevalence of hypovitaminosis D is relatively low in this study population and only age is a risk factor of vitamin D deficiency.

Factors Associated with Hypovitaminosis D in People Living with HIV/AIDS (PLWHA) Followed up in Porto-Novo in 2019

“…The high prevalence of vitamin D deficiency found in our work is similar to that reported by Arnedo-Pena (45.1%) [13]. In the general population, the prevalence of vitamin D deficiency is lower; in the study of Tangoh et al [14] in Cameroon, and was 3.2%. In USA, Pasquale M. et al has reported a high prevalence of hypovitaminosis D among HIV-infected subjects ranging from 70.3 to 83.7% [15].…”

Prevalence of and Risk Factors for Hypovitaminosis D in Patients with Rotator Cuff Tears

“…5,12) Furthermore, a clinical study reported a significant negative correlation between vitamin D levels and fatty degeneration of rotator cuff muscles and a positive correlation between serum vitamin D and shoulder isokinetic muscle torque. 11) Several studies have reported risk factors of hypovitaminosis D. 1,2,4,[13][14][15][16] Age, degree of sun exposure, race, and/or body mass index (BMI) have all been reported to affect the prevalence of hypovitaminosis D. 1,2,13,14) Little exposure to sunlight is a known risk factor of hypovitaminosis D, but the effect of age has not been firmly established. Furthermore, these known risk factors of hypovitaminosis D have not been thoroughly investigated in patients with a rotator cuff tear.…”

Vitamin D status of overweight and obese Bangladeshi adults

“…[ 29 ] The urban residents had the highest levels of 25(OH)D, followed by rural residents and the lowest for large metro residents in the American population in a study done by Bailey et al [ 31 ] The community in which the participants belonged did not have any significant influence on the vitamin D level, according to Tangoh et al , indicating that the level of urbanization may not affect vitamin D status. [ 32 ] 25(OH)D levels were indifferent across different levels of educational qualification and income status in the current study. Subjects with a higher level of education had lower 25(OH)D levels in a study done by Al Zarooni et al [ 29 ] There was no significant difference in vitamin D levels between levels of education and income levels in another study by Tangoh et al [ 32 ]…”

“…[ 32 ] 25(OH)D levels were indifferent across different levels of educational qualification and income status in the current study. Subjects with a higher level of education had lower 25(OH)D levels in a study done by Al Zarooni et al [ 29 ] There was no significant difference in vitamin D levels between levels of education and income levels in another study by Tangoh et al [ 32 ]…”