A STUDY OF 25(OH) VITAMIN D LEVELS IN PATIENTS ATTENDING A TERTIARY CARE HOSPITAL OF HYDERABAD

Dr. Sarwat Fatima; Ayesha Anjum

Volume : V, Issue : IX, September - 2016

A STUDY OF 25(OH) VITAMIN D LEVELS IN PATIENTS ATTENDING A TERTIARY CARE HOSPITAL OF HYDERABAD

Dr. Sarwat Fatima, Ayesha Anjum

Abstract :

Significance of Vitamin D in health and disease is clear. Earlier it was known only for its crucial role in bone metabolism but off late it has been found that deficiency of this vitamin is associated with cardiovascular disorders, diabetes mellitus, malignancies and immunological disorders. Till a decade before it was assumed that Indian population is resistant to vitamin D deficiency but in a span of few years many studies sprouted up indicating that 50–90 % of Indian people are deficient in vitamin D. Aim – we have tried to estimate the levels of serum /plasma 25(OH) vitamin D values in people attending a tertiary care hospital for reasons other than frank vitamin D deficiency. Further we tried to study the impact of demographic variables like age, sex and religion on its levels. Material and methods – a one year cross sectional observational hospital based study was conducted out at Princess Esra Hospital Hyderabad during January 2014 – January 2015. Blood samples were collected aseptically from all 246 patients after an informed oral consent. Quantitative Elisa was performed on serum/plasma for 25(OH) vitamin D levels using commercially available kit from Calbiotech.Inc. USA. Results – of the total 246 subjects tested 56% were females. Male to female ratio was 1:3. Individuals varied in age from less than 1 year to 95 years. Mean age of the subjects being 36.4�21.7 and mean vitamin D levels as 54.39 � 349.32. With respect to age deficiency was prevalent through all the age groups but more so in infants and very old followed by adults. Men were found to be more deficient as 57.35% for vitamin D. More number of females were insufficient and sufficient as 28. 65% and 12.38% for vitamin D. Percentage intoxicated were almost equal in both sexes. Deficiency was common in Muslims. Insufficiency was evident in Hindus. I ntoxication more in Christians. Conclusion – the present hospital based study with random sampling technique does not provide us a clear idea of the vitamin D status of the subjects and estimation of vitamin D alone in absence of valuable indicators of bone health like serum calcium, bone mineral density and parathyroid hormone are misleading. Nevertheless it is better to supplement vitamin D in pregnant women, infants and very elderly group to avoid deficiency, related diseases and disorders.