Vitamin D Deficiency and Its Associated Factors among Female Migrants in the United Arab Emirates

Relationship between Vitamin D Insufficiency, Lipid Profile and Atherogenic Indices in Healthy Women Aged 18-50 Years

Although vitamin D insufficiency has been correlated with an increased risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD), there are few data on the association between 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25(OH)D) and atherogenic indices predictive of CVD. This study investigated the relationship of vitamin D status with lipid profile and atherogenic indices in adult women in Morocco. Three hundred women aged 18 to 50 years from Meknes were included. Fasting 25(OH)D and lipid concentrations were assayed by a one-step electrochemiluminescence-based immunoassay and an enzymatic method, respectively. Atherogenic indices (atherogenic index of plasma (AIP), atherogenic coefficient (AC), non-HDL cholesterol (non-HDL-C), Castelli risk indices I and II (CRI-I and II), and CHOLIndex (CI)) were calculated using conventional lipid parameters. Logistic regression models and operating characteristic curve (ROC) analysis were used to assess the relationship of the variables and estimate the threshold of 25(OH)D levels associated with high atherogenic indices. 25(OH) D below 20 ng/mL was significantly associated with an enhanced risk of hypertriglyceridemia and elevated values of AIP, AC, non-HDL-C, and CRI-I with an OR (95% CI) of 4.904 (1.856-12.959), 3.637 (2.149-6.158), 3.589 (1.673-7.700), 2.074 (1.215-3.540), and 2.481 (1.481-4.123), respectively. According to the ROC analysis, the likelihood of hypertriglyceridemia and high values of AIP, AC, non-HDL-C, and CRI-I were associated with 25(OH)D thresholds ≤15.15 ng/mL, ≤17.5 ng/mL, ≤19.8 ng/mL, ≤20.1 ng/mL, and ≤19.5 ng/mL, respectively, all p < 0.01. Based on the atherogenic indices, this study indicates that vitamin D below 20 ng/mL may increase the risk of cardiovascular disease in adult women. Additional health measures are essential to raise awareness among women and health professionals of preventing and controlling cardiovascular risk factors, particularly among young individuals.

Vitamin D levels in patients attending a tertiary care hospital in Mogadishu, Somalia: a retrospective review of 28,125 cases

OBJECTIVE

The objective of this study was to identify the prevalence and risk factors for vitamin D deficiency among patients attending a tertiary hospital in Mogadishu, Somalia.

METHODS

This retrospective study examined the results of serum 25-hydroxy-vitamin D tests of 28,125 patients admitted to Somalia Mogadishu-Turkey Training and Research Hospital between January 2017 and December 2021. Vitamin D insufficiency is defined as 20-30 ng/mL, deficiency as 10-19 ng/mL, and severe deficiency as <10 ng/mL.

RESULTS

A total of 28,125 patients with a mean age of 44.27±20.4 years were included in the study. The majority of patients were in the age group of 19-40 years. The mean serum level of 25-hydroxy-vitamin D was 28.42±15.34 ng/mL. Of the patients included in the study, 5.8% (1,618/28,125) had vitamin D sufficiency, 6.5% (1,826/28,125) had vitamin D insufficiency, 41.8% (11,761/28,125) had vitamin D deficiency, and 45.9% (12,920/28,125) had severe vitamin D deficiency. The mean serum 25-hydroxy-vitamin D levels were lower in females than in males (p<0.001).

CONCLUSION

The study indicated a high prevalence of vitamin deficiency among patients attending the largest tertiary care hospital, particularly female patients and older people. It is recommended to develop educational and awareness programs, and campaigns to reduce vitamin D deficiency in the population, especially those at high risk.

Relevance of Serum Levels and Functional Genetic Variants in Vitamin D Receptor Gene among Saudi Women with Gestational Diabetes Mellitus

Background: This study explored the association between ApaI-TaqI Single Nucleotide Polymorphisms (SNPs) in a Vitamin D receptor (VDR) and the risk of Gestational Diabetes Mellitus (GDM) in Saudi women, along with the serum levels of vitamin D. Methods: Ninety women with GDM and 90 non-GDM women were enrolled, based on the inclusion and exclusion criteria for pregnant women enrolled in a single-center study. Blood samples were retrieved from 180 pregnant women using ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA) tubes. Serum samples were used to measure the vitamin D, 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25(OH)D or calcidiol), and lipid profiles. Blood was used to measure the hemoglobin A1c levels and to isolate the DNA. The polymerase chain reaction (PCR) was performed for the ApaI (rs79785232), BsmI (rs1544410), FokI (rs2228570), and TaqI (rs731236) SNPs in the VDR gene using restriction fragment length polymorphism analysis. Validation was performed using Sanger sequencing. Statistical analyses were performed between the patients with and without GDM using various statistical software packages. Results: The Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium analysis was statistically significant (p > 0.05). The ApaI, BsmI, and TaqI SNPs were associated with alleles, genotypes, and different genetic models (p < 0.05). Vitamin D levels were associated with deficient levels (p = 0.0002), as well as with a normal and overweight body mass index (p = 0.0004). When vitamin D levels were measured with GDM covariates, the fasting plasma glucose (FPG) (p = 0.0001), postprandial blood glucose (PPBG) (p < 0.0001), oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT)-1 h (p = 0.005), high-density lipoprotein (p = 0.022), and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDLc) (p = 0.001) levels were significantly different. When similar vitamin D levels were measured for each genotype, we confirmed that the ApaI SNP was associated with sufficient levels (p < 0.0001), whereas the BsmI, FokI, and TaqI (p < 0.05) were associated with insufficient levels. The logistic regression model confirmed that the first hour of the OGTT (p = 0.005) was strongly associated with GDM, whereas the analysis of variance confirmed that FPG and PPBG (p < 0.05) were strongly associated with all the SNPs evaluated in the VDR gene. Additionally, the second hour of the OGTT (p = 0.048) and LDLc (p = 0.049) were associated with the ApaI and FokI SNP. Moreover, the first hour OGTT (p = 0.045) and lipid profile parameters (p < 0.05) were associated. Haplotype analysis revealed positive associations among the examined SNPs, which seemed compatible with the hypothesis that variants and combinations of multiple SNP genotypes enhance the risk of GDM in women. Haplotype analysis revealed that different combinations of alleles, such as AGCC, CATT, CGTC, AGTC, and CATT (p < 0.05), were strongly associated. The linkage disequilibrium (LD) analysis showed a strong association with all combinations (p < 0.05). Among the gene-gene interactions, all possible combinations showed a positive association (p < 0.05). Conclusions: Low vitamin D levels were observed in women with GDM. The ApaI, BsmI, and TaqI SNPs were associated with genotype and allele frequencies (p < 0.05). Vitamin D and the SNPs in the VDR gene were associated, according to the ANOVA, logistic regression, haplotype analysis, LD analysis, and the generalized multifactor dimensionality reduction model (p < 0.05).

COVID-19 and Other Pleiotropic Actions of Vitamin D: Proceedings from the Fifth International Conference "Vitamin D-Minimum, Maximum, Optimum" under the Auspices of the European Vitamin D Association (EVIDAS)

Vitamin D deficiency appeared as a worldwide pandemic markedly earlier than the COVID-19 pandemic was announced in global media [...].

Association Between Vitamin D Level and Z-Score Changes of Bone Density in College-Age Saudi Girls: A Cross-Sectional Study

Objective

Vitamin D (VD) deficiency is a worldwide health problem. VD plays a crucial role in calcium homeostasis, phosphorus metabolism and bone health. Still much remain to understand the effect of VD deficiency on bone mass. This study aimed to evaluate the relationship between VD levels and bone mass density (BMD) among college-age Saudi females.

Methods

In a cross-sectional study, 460 females with a median age of 21 years, were enrolled, completed a comprehensive, structured questionnaire which was validated by experienced endocrinologist, a dietician, and a statistician. Body mass indexes (BMI) were calculated, and BMD was estimated through quantitative ultrasound to ankle. Serum VD, calcium, phosphate, parathyroid hormone, and alkaline phosphatase were measured using chemiluminescent immunoassay technique.

Results

VD deficiency reached up to 83.3% (66.9% insufficiency and 16.4% deficiency). Lower than normal BMD was detected in 18.3% of subjects, with only 1.1% having a non-age-matched high risk for osteoporosis. The significant independent predictors of Z-score were age of menarche, menstrual irregularities, dairy products consumption, physical activity, BMI, alkaline phosphatase, and history of previous VD supplementation.

Conclusion

VD deficiency and low BMD are highly prevalent among college-age Saudi females. Low BMD is not linked to serum level of VD but to its previous use as a supplementation. Early lifestyle changes, attention to gynecological problems, and prevention of VD deficiency are all needed to support BMD among these girls.

Independent Association of 25[OH]D Level on Reduced Glutathione and TNF-α in Patients ‎with Diabetes and/or Hypertension

Purpose

Oxidative and inflammatory pathways play a significant role in the pathophysiology of a wide variety of non-communicable diseases such as type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) and hypertension. However, the effect of serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D ‎‎(25[OH]D) on these pathways is still controversial. To evaluate the association of 25[OH]D on ‎antioxidant and pro-inflammatory biomarkers, reduced glutathione (GSH) and tumor ‎necrosis factor (TNF)-α, in T2DM and hypertensive patients.

Patients and Methods

This is a cross-sectional study of a consecutive sample of patients attending the the Family Medicine clinic at King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz University Hospital (KAAUH). Participants were screened for eligibility according to the following ‎criteria: aged above 18 years and diagnosed with T2DM and/or hypertension for at least one ‎year. Patients receiving any kind of vitamin D or calcium supplements within the last three ‎months were excluded, as were those with a history of ‎renal failure, cancer, liver, thyroid, or any other chronic inflammatory diseases.

Results

In total 424 T2DM and/or ‎hypertensive patients (mean age 55±12 years) were recruited. In addition to routine ‎physical and laboratory examinations, levels of serum 25[OH]D, GSH and TNF-α were ‎measured. The prevalence of 25[OH]D deficiency (<50 nmol/L) was 35.1%, which was ‎independent from GSH and TNF-α levels. In T2DM, hypertensive and patients having ‎both diseases, GSH levels were 349.3±19, 355.4±19 and 428.8±20 μmol/L, ‎respectively. Uncontrolled T2DM and hypertension patients showed significantly higher ‎GSH compared with the controlled group. ‎Males showed slightly higher level ‎of TNF-α compared with females and uncontrolled hypertensive patients had relatively ‎higher TNF-α level when evaluated against controlled hypertensive patients. ‎

Conclusion

25[OH]D level is independent of oxidative stress and inflammation, ‎assessed by levels of GSH and TNF-α, respectively, in T2DM and hypertensive Saudi ‎patients. ‎