Balsam Qubais Saeed1,2, Ammar A Jairoun3,4, Ahmed Ashraf Khamis5, Linah Hatim Abdelrahim5, Amal Abobakr Aljomhi5, Ahmed Omar Adrees5, Kubais Saeed Fahady6, Mohamed Saleh Al-Hajjaj1. 1. Clinical Sciences Department, College of Medicine, University of Sharjah, Sharjah, United Arab Emirates. 2. Sharjah Institute for Medical Research, University of Sharjah, Sharjah, United Arab Emirates. 3. Health and Safety Department, Dubai, United Arab Emirates. 4. Discipline of Social And Administrative Pharmacy, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University Sains Malaysia, Penang, 11500, Malaysia. 5. College of Medicine, University of Sharjah, Sharjah, United Arab Emirates. 6. College of Humanities and Science, Ajman University, Ajman, United Arab Emirates.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Vitamin D deficiency (VDD) and insufficiency (VDI) is a public health problem worldwide. Low blood levels of vitamin D have been associated with many illnesses, including respiratory tract infections (RTIs). This study aims to evaluate the prevalence of VDD and VDI among university students, assess the correlation with demographic and anthropometric factors, and determine the effect of VDD on the respiratory tract infection (RTI) incidence. METHODS: A cross-sectional and prospective design was used. Our sample consisted of 287 students aged 18-24 years from the University of Sharjah-UAE. Participants were tested for serum 25(hydroxyvitamin)D levels, Body mass index (BMI) was calculated, and the survey was completed. The association between VDD, VDI with the participant's characteristics, and the incidents of RTIs were examined. RESULTS: VDD and VDI were highly prevalent among 85% of the students. The median serum 25(OH) D level was 15.8 ng/dl (19.5±11.6). The mean BMI was (24.32±6.3) kg/m. The results showed a significant positive correlation between VDI and VDD with gender and students who were previously diagnosed with VDD (P < 0.05); however, they were not statistically significant (P < 0.05) with other factors. The tonsillitis incidents were significantly associated with VDD (P = 0.027), while no significant correlation with other incidences of RTIs was found. CONCLUSION: VDD and VDI represent a significant problem across the university students specifically with the female gender. VDD is associated with tonsillitis infection incidence. Both the health and higher education authorities' attention is needed, exploring the causes of VDD and VDI, regular 25(OH)D serum level examination, and educational programs on VDD risks are required.
BACKGROUND: Vitamin D deficiency (VDD) and insufficiency (VDI) is a public health problem worldwide. Low blood levels of vitamin D have been associated with many illnesses, including respiratory tract infections (RTIs). This study aims to evaluate the prevalence of VDD and VDI among university students, assess the correlation with demographic and anthropometric factors, and determine the effect of VDD on the respiratory tract infection (RTI) incidence. METHODS: A cross-sectional and prospective design was used. Our sample consisted of 287 students aged 18-24 years from the University of Sharjah-UAE. Participants were tested for serum 25(hydroxyvitamin)D levels, Body mass index (BMI) was calculated, and the survey was completed. The association between VDD, VDI with the participant's characteristics, and the incidents of RTIs were examined. RESULTS: VDD and VDI were highly prevalent among 85% of the students. The median serum 25(OH) D level was 15.8 ng/dl (19.5±11.6). The mean BMI was (24.32±6.3) kg/m. The results showed a significant positive correlation between VDI and VDD with gender and students who were previously diagnosed with VDD (P < 0.05); however, they were not statistically significant (P < 0.05) with other factors. The tonsillitis incidents were significantly associated with VDD (P = 0.027), while no significant correlation with other incidences of RTIs was found. CONCLUSION: VDD and VDI represent a significant problem across the university students specifically with the female gender. VDD is associated with tonsillitis infection incidence. Both the health and higher education authorities' attention is needed, exploring the causes of VDD and VDI, regular 25(OH)D serum level examination, and educational programs on VDD risks are required.
Authors: Katherine L Tucker; Kyoko Morita; Ning Qiao; Marian T Hannan; L Adrienne Cupples; Douglas P Kiel Journal: Am J Clin Nutr Date: 2006-10 Impact factor: 7.045
Authors: Anne C Looker; Clifford L Johnson; David A Lacher; Christine M Pfeiffer; Rosemary L Schleicher; Christopher T Sempos Journal: NCHS Data Brief Date: 2011-03
Authors: Adrian R Martineau; David A Jolliffe; Richard L Hooper; Lauren Greenberg; John F Aloia; Peter Bergman; Gal Dubnov-Raz; Susanna Esposito; Davaasambuu Ganmaa; Adit A Ginde; Emma C Goodall; Cameron C Grant; Christopher J Griffiths; Wim Janssens; Ilkka Laaksi; Semira Manaseki-Holland; David Mauger; David R Murdoch; Rachel Neale; Judy R Rees; Steve Simpson; Iwona Stelmach; Geeta Trilok Kumar; Mitsuyoshi Urashima; Carlos A Camargo Journal: BMJ Date: 2017-02-15