Vitamin D Levels in OPD Patients in Teaching Hospital, Sukkur

Abstract

Background: It is well established that low levels of 25 (OH) Vitamin D (<30 ng/dl) are a common finding world over, affecting over a billion of the global population. Aches and pains in joints and muscles are frequently seen in patients with Vitamin D deficiency and patients are misdiagnosed with other diseases.

Objective: To determine the level of Vitamin D in patients attending outpatient department with aches and pains.

Study Design: Prospective and observational.

Place and Duration of Study: This study was conducted at Orthopedic department of Ghulam Muhammad Mahar Medical College Hospital (GMMMCH), Sukkur from February 2011 to March 2012.

Materials and Methods: All patients attending orthopaedic OPD of GMMMCH with aches and pains had their Vitamin D level done. They were divided in three diagnostic categories based on their serum 25 (OH) Vitamin D levels. Those with below 8 ng/dl were categorized to have severe deficiency, levels between 8-19ng/dl as moderate deficiency and levels of 20-29 ng/dl as mild deficiency.

Results: A total of 400 patients were studied. Minimum age was 15 years and maximum age was 75 years. Serum Vitamin D level was found low (<30 ng/dl) in (92%) patients. Their mean age was 44.3±18.3 years, with female to male ratio 4:1. Ten percent (10%) had severe, 60% moderate and 30% had mild deficiency.

Conclusion: We observed high proportion of patients with aches and pains having low levels of Vitamin D. The specific cause(s) for this observed high prevalence of low 25 (OH) vitamin levels are not clear and need to be investigated further upon.