A A BinSaeed1,2, A A Torchyan1,2, B N AlOmair2, N S AlQadhib2, F M AlSuwayeh2, F M Monshi2, F I AlRumaih2, S A AlQahtani2, N AlYousefi2, A Al-Drees3. 1. Prince Sattam Bin Abdul Aziz Research Chair of Epidemiology and Public Health, College of Medicine, King Saud University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. 2. Department of Family and Community Medicine, College of Medicine, King Saud University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. 3. Department of Physiology, College of Medicine, King Saud University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
Abstract
BACKGROUND/ OBJECTIVES: The objectives of our study were to determine possible factors associated with low vitamin D levels in medical students. SUBJECTS/ METHODS: A cross-sectional study was performed among 255 first- to fifth-year male undergraduate medical students of one of the major universities in Saudi Arabia. Serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25(OH)D) levels were measured using electrochemiluminiscence. Multiple logistic regression analysis was performed. RESULTS: Majority of Saudi medical students (75.2%) had 25(OH)D levels <30 nmol/l, defined as risk for deficiency by the Institute of Medicine. Multivariate analysis showed that the odds of having 25(OH)D serum levels of ⩾ 30 nmol/l were seven times higher both in students who took vitamin D (odds ratio (OR)=7.2, 95% confidence interval (CI)=1.8-29.9, P=0.006) or multivitamin supplements (OR=6.9, 95% CI=1.7-27.3, P=0.006) within 1 year. Students with a history of vitamin D testing >1 year before the study or moderate/vigorous physical activity (PA) had 4.4 (OR=4.4, 95% CI=1.7-11.4, P=0.003) and 2.7-fold (OR=2.7, 95% CI=1.3-5.3, P=0.006) higher odds of having 25(OH)D levels ⩾ 30 nmol/l, respectively. There was no significant association between 25(OH)D serum levels and average time spent outdoors per day (P=0.369) and type of clothing (long-sleeved vs short-sleeved; P=0.800). CONCLUSIONS: Vitamin D deficiency was highly prevalent in Saudi medical students. Modifiable factors such as vitamin D intake and PA could be targeted for intervention. Further studies with standardized laboratory measurements of 25(OH)D are needed to explore the role of vitamin D testing in behavioral change, which may lead to increased serum 25(OH)D levels.
BACKGROUND/ OBJECTIVES: The objectives of our study were to determine possible factors associated with low vitamin D levels in medical students. SUBJECTS/ METHODS: A cross-sectional study was performed among 255 first- to fifth-year male undergraduate medical students of one of the major universities in Saudi Arabia. Serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25(OH)D) levels were measured using electrochemiluminiscence. Multiple logistic regression analysis was performed. RESULTS: Majority of Saudi medical students (75.2%) had 25(OH)D levels <30 nmol/l, defined as risk for deficiency by the Institute of Medicine. Multivariate analysis showed that the odds of having 25(OH)D serum levels of ⩾ 30 nmol/l were seven times higher both in students who took vitamin D (odds ratio (OR)=7.2, 95% confidence interval (CI)=1.8-29.9, P=0.006) or multivitamin supplements (OR=6.9, 95% CI=1.7-27.3, P=0.006) within 1 year. Students with a history of vitamin D testing >1 year before the study or moderate/vigorous physical activity (PA) had 4.4 (OR=4.4, 95% CI=1.7-11.4, P=0.003) and 2.7-fold (OR=2.7, 95% CI=1.3-5.3, P=0.006) higher odds of having 25(OH)D levels ⩾ 30 nmol/l, respectively. There was no significant association between 25(OH)D serum levels and average time spent outdoors per day (P=0.369) and type of clothing (long-sleeved vs short-sleeved; P=0.800). CONCLUSIONS:Vitamin D deficiency was highly prevalent in Saudi medical students. Modifiable factors such as vitamin D intake and PA could be targeted for intervention. Further studies with standardized laboratory measurements of 25(OH)D are needed to explore the role of vitamin D testing in behavioral change, which may lead to increased serum 25(OH)D levels.
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