[Evaluation of vitamin D deficiency in hospitalized patients in Brussels]

Blood levels of 25 hydroxyvitamin D (25(OH) vit D) were measured in 332 patients (192 women, mean age 69.1 +/- 17.8 SD and 140 men, 61.9 +/- 18) hospitalized in C.H.U. Brugmann for acute diseases without any link with vitamin D supply and/or metabolism. More than 60% of this population presented with serum concentrations below the lower limit of normal (12 ng/ml) whereas than less than 5% reached 30 ng/ml, a level generally recommended to avoid vitamin D insufficiency. The inverse relationship between blood levels of 25(OH) vit D and parathyroid hormone reinforced the opinion that 30 ng/ml is the minimum to reach to avoid secondary hyperparathyroidism. Young patients are nor at a lesser risk of vitamin D deficiency than the older patients, women showed a lesser deficiency than men. Factors likely to have contributed to vitamin D deficiency are a low social status and dark skin. In countries without abundant sun exposure, such as Belgium, systematic administration of vitamin D supplement is recommended, in particular in subjects at risk of deficiency, during autumn and winter, including all ages of life.