Vitamin D Status and Selected Metabolic Parameters in Salt Mine Workers: A Cross-Sectional Study.

Background

Vitamin D deficiency has been implicated in disturbances of glucose and lipid metabolism, particularly in occupational groups with limited sunlight exposure. This study aimed to examine the association between serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D [25(OH)D] concentrations and markers of carbohydrate and lipid metabolism in salt mine workers.

Methods

This cross-sectional study involved 62 male salt miners (aged 25-63 years), stratified by work depth (surface, ≤750 m, and >750 m). Anthropometric characteristics, body composition, cardiorespiratory fitness (VO2max), and biochemical parameters were assessed. Blood analyses included fasting glucose, insulin, lipid profile, TSH, and 25(OH)D. Insulin resistance was evaluated via the HOMA-IR index.

Results

The cohort exhibited a high prevalence of overweight and obesity (mean BMI > 28 kg/m2). Significant differences in VO2max were observed between groups (p < 0.05). Elevated fasting glucose (>100 mg/dL) was observed in 47% of participants, and 22% presented HOMA-IR values > 2.5. In the regression model, vitamin D supplementation was the strongest predictor of 25(OH)D levels, explaining 25.5% of its variance. The addition of HDL cholesterol increased the explained variance to 35.6%, whereas HOMA-IR contributed an additional 3.9% (p = 0.094).

Conclusions

In salt miners, insufficient vitamin D status coexists with excess adiposity and impaired glucose homeostasis. Serum 25(OH)D was more strongly associated with supplementation and HDL-C than with HOMA-IR. These findings suggest that monitoring vitamin D status is relevant in the occupational health evaluation of this group.