Vitamin D Status and Health Indicators in the Malagasy Population: A Pilot Study.

Background

Vitamin D plays an important role in overall health. This study aimed to conduct a pilot screening of serum vitamin D levels in a Malagasy cohort and to compare vitamin D status groups with selected health indicators.

Methods

A cross-sectional observational pilot study was performed in two geographically distinct regions of Madagascar-a coastal area and an inland area. In total, 150 individuals underwent a single health screening, including semi-quantitative assessment of serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D, as well as evaluation of glycemic and cholesterol levels, blood pressure, anthropometric parameters, and a brief personal and lifestyle questionnaire.

Results

A total of 148 participants (aged 18-88 years) were analyzed. 45.9% of participants had low serum vitamin D levels (<75 nmol/L). Lower vitamin D levels and higher total cholesterol were observed in the coastal group compared to the inland group (p < 0.05). No significant differences were found for most other examined health indicators. In multivariable analysis, age was identified as an important determinant of several outcomes. Vitamin D status did not remain an independent predictor; however, a trend toward an independent association with hypercholesterolemia was observed (p = 0.07), while the association with hyperglycemia was less pronounced (p = 0.11).

Conclusions

A substantial proportion of participants exhibited low vitamin D levels despite favorable geographic conditions. The results suggest a potential relationship between vitamin D status and lipid metabolism, although this association did not reach statistical significance after adjustment. These findings provide initial insight into vitamin D status and its potential associations in this setting and may inform future research and public health monitoring.