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[Vitamin D deficiency in morbidly obese patients. A case-control study]
Sandra Herranz Antolín1, María del Carmen García Martínez, Visitación Alvarez De Frutos
1Sección de Endocrinología y Nutrición, Hospital Universitario de Guadalajara, Guadalajara, España. herranzantolin@yahoo.es
Summary
Morbid obesity is strongly linked to vitamin D deficiency, with 80% of obese patients deficient compared to 41% of non-obese individuals. This highlights the need for vitamin D screening in obesity management.
Area of Science:
- Endocrinology
- Nutritional Science
- Public Health
Context:
- Vitamin D deficiency is prevalent in the general population, particularly the elderly.
- Limited comparative studies exist on vitamin D levels in morbidly obese versus non-obese individuals.
- Secondary hyperparathyroidism is a potential complication of vitamin D deficiency.
Purpose:
- To determine the prevalence of vitamin D deficiency and secondary hyperparathyroidism in morbidly obese and non-obese individuals.
- To compare vitamin D levels between these two groups.
- To assess the relationship between obesity and vitamin D deficiency.
Summary:
- A study of 138 patients found 80% of morbidly obese individuals and 41% of non-obese individuals had vitamin D deficiency.
- Mean 25-hydroxyvitamin D levels were significantly lower in the morbidly obese group (16.6 ng/ml) compared to the non-obese group (21.9 ng/ml).
- No significant differences in parathyroid hormone, calcium, or phosphorus levels were observed between the groups.
Impact:
- Morbid obesity is a significant risk factor for vitamin D deficiency.
- Recommendations for including 25-hydroxyvitamin D testing in obesity treatment guidelines.
- Potential implications for public health strategies addressing vitamin D insufficiency.
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