Summer and winter prevalence of vitamin D deficiency of young resident doctors in North India

Aim:  Vitamin D deficiency is common both in children and adults all over the world. Long indoor working hours may contribute to deficiency in adult populations particularly in those not receiving vitamin D supplementation in any form. The study aimed to evaluate vitamin D status of young resident d...

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Published in:Nutrition & dietetics 2011-12, Vol.68 (4), p.280-284
Main Authors: SINGH, Surya Kumar, PRAKASH, Ved, TIWARI, Shalbha, DALIPARTHY, Devi Pratyush, SINGH, Saurabh, JAIN, Pankaj
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
25(OH) vitamin D
alkaline phosphatase
Calcium
Dietary supplements
hypovitaminosis D
Physicians
Vitamin D
Vitamin deficiency
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Summary:Aim:  Vitamin D deficiency is common both in children and adults all over the world. Long indoor working hours may contribute to deficiency in adult populations particularly in those not receiving vitamin D supplementation in any form. The study aimed to evaluate vitamin D status of young resident doctors working in a university hospital in North India. Methods:  Serum 25(OH)D, calcium and alkaline phosphatase were measured in a cross‐sectional sample of young resident doctors living in Varanasi, India (latitude 25 degrees North). A total of 80 resident doctors were recruited to participate in the present study with 40 participants enrolled at the end of summer in September 2005, and the remainders were enrolled at the end of winter in March 2006. Results:  There was a significant decrease (P < 0.001) in mean 25(OH) vitamin D concentration of the study groups from summer (29 (±21.7) nmol/L) to winter (16.5 (±11.0) nmol/L). In summer, 33 residents had 25 (OH) vitamin D < 50 nmol/L, five had between 50 and 75 nmol/L and only two had >75 nmol/L, but in winter the corresponding numbers were 38, two and none had a concentration >75 nmol/L. No difference in serum calcium and phosphorus was observed; however, alkaline phosphatase was significantly higher in participants sampled in the winter (P < 0.001). Conclusions:  Hypovitaminosis D was common among apparently normal young resident doctors engaged in indoor work in both seasons. This may have negative short‐ and long‐term health implications. Provision of vitamin D supplementation (oral cholecalciferol) to young resident doctors and other indoor professionals should be considered.
ISSN:1446-6368
1747-0080
DOI:10.1111/j.1747-0080.2011.01553.x