VITAMIN D DEFICIENCY IN JAMMU IN SUBJECTS WITH NO COMORBIDITY- A PRELIMINARY STUDY

BACKGROUND Deficiency of the vitamin D may result in metabolic bone diseases leading to rickets in children or osteomalacia in adults.1,2 The vitamin D may provide protection against hypertension, cancer and multiple sclerosis.3 The vitamin D level is regulated through the interaction of various factors including intestinal absorption, renal function, serum calcium level and Parathyroid Hormone (PTH).3 The 2 main sources for vitamin D are synthesis in the skin on exposure to Ultraviolet-B (UVB) light from sunlight and dietary intake. The aim of the study is to evaluate status of the vitamin D of a cohort of Jammu population with no comorbidity. A questionnaire was given to 119 patients (77 males and 42 females) where information regarding intake of calcium and vitamin D supplementation, intake of calcium rich food and exposure to vitamin D was sought. MATERIALS AND METHODS Estimation of serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25(OH)3) and plasma Parathyroid Hormone (PTH) intact levels was done the subjects. Serum 25 (OH) 2D3 levels did not differ significantly between males and females, although the levels were low (males 9.72 ng/mL ± 4.2 and females 8.5 ng/mL ± 4.7). RESULTS The vitamin D was still in the deficiency range even after excluding the subjects with very high PTH levels. CONCLUSION There was a high prevalence of a vitamin D deficiency in this sample of Jammu despite >70% of participants having adequate exposure to sunlight and >80% reporting adequate intake of dairy products