Prevalence of Vitamin D Deficiency among Hemodialysis Patients in Palestine: A Cross-Sectional Study

Assessment of the vitamin D status and its determinants in young healthy students from Palestine

The global prevalence of vitamin D deficiency is high. Poor vitamin D status, especially in women, has been reported in several countries in the Middle East despite adequate year-round sunlight for vitamin D synthesis. However, data on vitamin D status in Palestine are scarce. The aim of this cross-sectional study was to evaluate vitamin D status based on serum concentrations of 25-hydroxycholecalciferol [25-(OH)D] among young healthy Palestinian students (18-27 years) and to assess associations between 25-(OH)D concentrations and several predictors. The mean 25-(OH)D concentration of women (n 151) was 27⋅2 ± 14⋅5 nmol/l, with the majority having insufficient (31⋅1 %) or deficient (<60 %) 25-(OH)D status. Only 7 % of women achieved sufficient or optimal 25-(OH)D status. In contrast, men (n 52) had a mean 25-(OH)D concentration of 58⋅3 ± 14⋅5 nmol/l, with none classified as deficient, and most obtaining sufficient (55⋅8 %) or even optimal 25-(OH)D status (11⋅5 %). Among women, 98 % wore a hijab and 74 % regularly used sunscreen. Daily dietary vitamin D intake (3-d 24-h recalls) was 45⋅1 ± 36⋅1 IU in the total group (no sex differences). After adjustment, multiple linear regression models showed significant associations between 25-(OH)D concentrations and the use of supplements (B = 0⋅069; P = 0⋅020) and dietary vitamin D (B = 0⋅001; P = 0⋅028). In gender-stratified analysis, the association between supplement use and 25-(OH)D concentrations was significant in women (B = 0⋅076; P = 0⋅040). The vitamin D status of women in the present cohort is critical and appears to be mainly due to wearing a hijab, regular use of sunscreen and low dietary vitamin D intake. The vitamin D status of the women should be improved by taking vitamin D containing supplements or fortified foods.

Vitamin D level, pain severity and quality of life among hemodialysis patients: a cross-sectional study

This cross-sectional study aims to find the prevalence of chronic pain and its correlation with the quality of life and vitamin D levels among hemodialysis patients in Palestine. We used the brief pain inventory, the medical outcomes study 36-item short-form health survey, and Serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D to assess chronic pain, quality of life, and vitamin D levels, respectively. The study included 200 patients, 38.1% (95% confidence interval 31.3-45.4%) of whom had chronic pain, and 77.7% (95% confidence interval 71.0-83.4%) had deficient Vitamin D levels. Quality of life scores were generally low, with the lowest in role emotional and physical functioning. Sex, comorbidities, and vitamin D level significantly correlate with pain severity. Employment, number of comorbidities, pain severity, and albumin level are significantly associated with the Physical component of quality of life. On the other hand, employment and pain severity are significantly related to the mental component of quality of life. In conclusion, low vitamin D levels, chronic pain, and low quality of life scores are common among hemodialysis patients. In addition, vitamin D is negatively correlated with pain severity. Therefore, healthcare workers should assess and manage hemodialysis patients' chronic pain to improve their quality of life and reduce suffering.