Low Vitamin D Levels and Correlates Amongst Adult Nigerians in North Central Nigeria.

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.