Vitamin D plays a critical role in bone metabolism and many cellular and immunological
processes. Low levels of vitamin D have been associated with various chronic diseases
especially rickets in children and osteoporosis in adults. Adequate vitamin D intake
is of paramount importance to protect against bone metabolic diseases and prevent
the occurrence of complications (e. g., fracture and bone pains). This study aimed
at the evaluation of vitamin D levels in a cohort of healthy Saudi Arabs. The comprised
139 healthy subjects coming for regular blood donation. Participants had full clinical
examination and evaluation of their calcium and vitamin D intake and the degree of
exposure to sunlight. Serum 25-OH vitamin D was determined using Liasion chemiluminescent
immunoassay and serum parathormone levels were determined using the Architect 2 000
immunochemiluminescent assay. Our results showed increased prevalence of vitamin D
deficiency between Saudi Arabs (both males and females) in the studied group of subjects.
Serum parathyroid hormone (PTH) did not correlate with serum vitamin D level in either
male or female groups (p<0.01). Our data illustrate a high prevalence of vitamin D
deficiency between Saudi Arabs and the importance for screening for vitamin D deficiency
(irrespective of PTH level). We hypothesize that the reported vitamin D deficiency
in the studied group of Saudi Arabs may reflect a possible inadequacy of the current
level of vitamin D fortification of food products. We suggest that higher level of
fortification of food products with vitamin D may be needed to compensate for the
reduced skin vitamin D synthesis due to poor exposure to sunlight and to reverse this
state of vitamin D deficiency in Saudi Arabs.
calcium - parathyroid hormone - 25-OH vitamin D
