Vitamin D deficiency among medical residents and its relationship with metabolic indices

To evaluate different elements of the calciotropic system in a group of house staff physicians, comparing them with age, gender, and body mass index (BMI) matched controls.

We measured vitamin D, calcium, phosphorus, parathyroid hormone (PTH), glucose, insulin (estimating the insulin resistance index by the homeostatic model [HOMA]), and lipid levels in 20 medical residents and 20 age-, gender-, and BMI-matched controls. We looked for correlations between elements of the calciotropic system and metabolic indices.

Medical residents and controls were similar in regard to gender distribution, weight, height, BMI, abdominal circumference, as well as systolic and diastolic blood pressure. No differences were found between the two groups in regard to low-density lipoprotein (LDL)-cholesterol, high-density lipoprotein (HDL)-cholesterol, plasma insulin levels, and HOMA-IR. Vitamin D and calcium levels were significantly lower among the medical residents (P = .001 and P = .003, respectively), whereas PTH concentrations tended to be higher. We found an inverse correlation between triglyceride concentrations and vitamin D (r = -0.31, P = .04).

Vitamin D deficiency among resident physicians is frequent and could have metabolic effects. Our findings highlight the consequences of the lack of sun exposure due to occupational reasons. We recommend a higher intake of vitamin D during this period.