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Vitamin D deficiency in Ukraine: A multicentre cross-sectional study
Sofiia Shatylo1, Volodymyr Bogomaz1, Oleksii Babych2
1Department of Internal Medicine, Faculty of Dentistry, Bogomolets National Medical University, 9 Volodymyr Vynnychenko Str., 04053 Kyiv, Ukraine.
Insights
Vitamin D deficiency and insufficiency are widespread in Ukraine, affecting a significant portion of both children and adults. This study highlights the urgent need for greater awareness and intervention strategies to improve vitamin D status in the Ukrainian population.
Area of Science:
- Nutritional Science
- Public Health
- Epidemiology
Background:
- Limited epidemiological data exists on vitamin D status within Ukraine.
- Understanding vitamin D levels is crucial for public health initiatives.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine the prevalence of vitamin D deficiency across Ukraine.
- To assess vitamin D insufficiency and sufficiency levels in the Ukrainian population.
Main Methods:
- A multicenter, cross-sectional study involving 11,462 participants (children and adults).
- Serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25(OH)D) levels were measured using chemiluminescent immunoassay.
- Standardized cut-offs were used to define vitamin D deficiency, insufficiency, sufficiency, and toxicity.
Main Results:
- The median 25(OH)D level was 65.4 nmol/L.
- Vitamin D deficiency was prevalent, with insufficiency affecting 37% and deficiency (severe and moderate) affecting 26% of all participants.
- Prevalence of vitamin D deficiency was 23.5% in children (1-17 years) and 26% in adults (≥18 years).
- Toxic levels of vitamin D were observed in 4.2% of children aged 1-2 years.
Conclusions:
- Vitamin D deficiency and insufficiency represent a significant public health concern in Ukraine.
- The findings underscore the need for targeted interventions to improve vitamin D status nationwide.
Background:
Available epidemiological data on vitamin D status in the Ukrainian population are limited.
Objective:
The aim of this study is to investigate the prevalence of vitamin D deficiency in Ukraine.
Methods:
This multicentre cross-sectional study included a total of 11,462 participants: 1530 children with a median age 10 years, (IQR 6-14) and 56.21 % of them were female; 9932 adults with a median age of 36 years (IQR 26-48) and 78.72 % of them were female. Serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25(OH)D) levels were measured once by chemiluminescent immunoassay (UniCel DxI 800 Access Immunoassay System, Beckman Coulter Inc., USA) in the period of January-December 2021 in Kyiv and Kyiv Oblast. The cut-offs were: vitamin D deficiency, <50 nmol/L; moderate deficiency, 25-<50 nmol/L; severe deficiency, <25 nmol/L; vitamin D insufficiency, 50-<75 nmol/L; vitamin D sufficiency, 75-<250 nmol/L; optimal concentration, 75-<125 nmol/L; increased levels, 125-<250 nmol/L; and toxicity, ≥250 nmol/L.
Results:
The median 25(OH)D level was 65.4 nmol/L (IQR 49.5-85.6) among all participants, severe vitamin D deficiency was recorded in 2.9 % of participants (95 % CI: 2.6-3.2), moderate deficiency in 23 % (95 % CI: 22-24), and vitamin D insufficiency in 37 % (95 % CI: 36-38).Prevalence of vitamin D deficiency in group 1-17 years was 23.5 % (95 % CI: 21-26). We did not find vitamin D deficiency in children aged 1-2 years; however toxic levels were recorded in 4.2 % of the children in this age group (95 % CI: 1.4-9.6). Among the adults (≥18 years old), prevalence of vitamin D deficiency was 26 % (95 % CI: 25-27).
Conclusion:
Vitamin D deficiency and insufficiency are common in Ukraine.
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