O H Chijioke1, A M Ehienagudia2, O M Akinwande3. 1. Department of Internal Medicine, Asokoro District Hospital, Abuja Nigeria/Department of Internal Medicine, Nile University of Nigeria, Abuja Nigeria. 2. Department of Surgery, Asokoro District Hospital, Abuja Nigeria/Department of Surgery, Nile University of Nigeria, Abuja Nigeria. 3. Department of Mathematical Sciences Bingham University New Karu, Nasarawa State, Nigeria.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: BACKGROUND: Vitamin D is an essential nutrient which plays vital roles in bone metabolism and in the pathogenesis of both communicable and non-communicable diseases. Global estimates show a high and rising prevalence of low vitamin D levels in different populations, including Africa's. There is paucity of data on vitamin D status in Nigerian adult sub-populations. AIMS: This study is an attempt at providing insight in to how common low vitamin D is in a Nigerian population and possible associated risk factors. METHODS: One hundred and five persons, who met the inclusion criteria, had their vitamin D levels estimated alongside their blood pressure and anthropometric checks. Blood glucose, glycated haemoglobin and lipids were estimated. Ordinal logistic regression analyses were performed to determine the association of low vitamin D with certain variables. A p-value of < 0.05 was set as significant. RESULTS: Fifty-seven males, (54.3%), and forty-eight females (45.7%) were studied. The mean/SD and median ages were 48.8+8.3 years and 50 years respectively. Low Vitamin D levels were observed in fifty subjects (47.6%), mostly in the upper class, and people with dys-metabolism and poor exposure to sunlight. CONCLUSIONS: Low Vitamin D, mainly insufficiency, is surprisingly common amongst Nigerians, more in the upper socio-economic class. There is correlation between low Vitamin D and poor exposure to sunlight, promoted by affluence, as well as some dysmetabolic states such as type 2 diabetes mellitus, and dyslipidaemia. Adequate exposure to sunlight and vitamin D replacement are recommended.
BACKGROUND: BACKGROUND:Vitamin D is an essential nutrient which plays vital roles in bone metabolism and in the pathogenesis of both communicable and non-communicable diseases. Global estimates show a high and rising prevalence of low vitamin D levels in different populations, including Africa's. There is paucity of data on vitamin D status in Nigerian adult sub-populations. AIMS: This study is an attempt at providing insight in to how common low vitamin D is in a Nigerian population and possible associated risk factors. METHODS: One hundred and five persons, who met the inclusion criteria, had their vitamin D levels estimated alongside their blood pressure and anthropometric checks. Blood glucose, glycated haemoglobin and lipids were estimated. Ordinal logistic regression analyses were performed to determine the association of low vitamin D with certain variables. A p-value of < 0.05 was set as significant. RESULTS: Fifty-seven males, (54.3%), and forty-eight females (45.7%) were studied. The mean/SD and median ages were 48.8+8.3 years and 50 years respectively. Low Vitamin D levels were observed in fifty subjects (47.6%), mostly in the upper class, and people with dys-metabolism and poor exposure to sunlight. CONCLUSIONS: Low Vitamin D, mainly insufficiency, is surprisingly common amongst Nigerians, more in the upper socio-economic class. There is correlation between low Vitamin D and poor exposure to sunlight, promoted by affluence, as well as some dysmetabolic states such as type 2 diabetes mellitus, and dyslipidaemia. Adequate exposure to sunlight and vitamin D replacement are recommended.
Authors: Henry Chijioke Onyegbutulem; Dilli Dogo; Francis Alu; Musa Dankyau; David Samuel Olorunfemi; Faruk Mustapha Abdullahi; Isaac Olubanji Akerele; Nafisah Ja'afar Bala; Ugo Nnenna Ibeabuchi; Maimuna Onyi Mohammed Journal: Pan Afr Med J Date: 2021-05-04