Vitamin D Status of the British African-Caribbean Residents: Analysis of the UK Biobank Cohort

Abstract

The vitamin D status of the United Kingdom (UK) African-Caribbean (AC) population remains under-researched, despite an increased risk of vitamin D deficiency due to darker skin phenotypes and living at a high latitude. This cross-sectional study explored the vitamin D status and intake of AC individuals (n = 4046 with a valid serum 25(OH)D measurement) from the UK Biobank Cohort, aged ≥40 years at baseline (2006–2010). Over one third of the population were deficient (<25 nmol/L), 41.1% were insufficient (25–50 nmol/L) and 15.9% were sufficient (>50 nmol/L). Median (IQR) 25(OH)D was 30.0 (20.9) nmol/L. Logistic regression showed that brown/black skin phenotype, winter blood draw, not consuming oily fish and not using vitamin D supplements predicted increased odds of vitamin D deficiency, whilst older age and a summer or autumn blood draw were significantly associated with reduced odds of vitamin D deficiency. Vitamin D deficiency and insufficiency were prevalent in this AC population and is of considerable concern given the individual and societal implications of increased morbidity. Public health messaging for this group should focus on year-round vitamin D supplementation and increasing intakes of culturally appropriate vitamin D-rich foods. These data also support the urgent requirement for a revised vitamin D RNI for ethnic groups.

Involvement of the secosteroid vitamin D in autoimmune rheumatic diseases and COVID-19

“…In a 2021 investigation of vitamin D status in 4,046 African Caribbean individuals in the UK, logistic regression showed that brown or black skin phenotype, together with blood draw (for serum 25(OH)D measurement) being carried out in winter or autumn and non-use of vitamin D supplements, predicted significantly increased odds of vitamin D deficiency 145 . On the other hand, a large body of evidence, as synthesized in a review analysing 36 studies, has confirmed that African American patients experience more severe SLE and a wider range of adverse outcomes than patients of other racial/ethnic groups 146 .…”

The Synaptic and Circuit Functions of Vitamin D in Neurodevelopment Disorders

“…76 Currently, vitamin D 1518 deficiency or insufficiency is a major global health issue. [77][78][79][80][81][82][83][84][85][86][87][88] Obese people, people of color, and those individuals who live in high altitudes are more likely to have vitamin D insufficiency or deficiency. [78][79][80]84,89 Additionally, children and pregnant women are particularly vulnerable to have vitamin D deficiency or insufficiency.…”

“…[77][78][79][80][81][82][83][84][85][86][87][88] Obese people, people of color, and those individuals who live in high altitudes are more likely to have vitamin D insufficiency or deficiency. [78][79][80]84,89 Additionally, children and pregnant women are particularly vulnerable to have vitamin D deficiency or insufficiency. 77,90 A multi-center cross-sectional study conducted in England indicated that up to 14% children under the age of seven were vitamin D deficient.…”

Association between serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D concentrations and respiratory tract infections requiring hospital admission: analysis of ethnic groups from the UK Biobank cohort

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Vitamin D status has been found to be inversely associated with risk of respiratory tract infections (RTIs) (1) . It varies by ethnicity, with several ethnic minority groups in the United Kingdom (UK) reported to be at a higher risk of vitamin D deficiency (serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25(OH)D) concentrations <25 nmol/L) compared to their white counterparts (2,3) . However, the relationship between serum 25(OH)D concentrations and incidence of RTIs by ethnicity in the UK remains unclear.

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