Changing trend in vitamin D status from 2008 to 2016: An experience from a tertiary care institute in North India

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25(OH)D) assays have become readily available in India over the past decade. A large number of cross-sectional studies have been performed on the vitamin D status and the prevalence of vitamin D deficiency (VDD) in India. However, seasonal and long-term trends in serum 25(OH)D levels have been reported less frequently. AIM: To determine the seasonal and year-wise variation in vitamin D status at a tertiary care hospital in north India. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Using hospital records, the data on serum 25(OH) D assays performed in its endocrinology laboratory between 2008 and 2016 were obtained. For analysis of seasonal trends, the months of a year were divided into following seasons: March to June (summer season), July to October (rainy season), and November to February (winter season). VDD was defined as serum 25(OH)D concentration <20 ng/mL. RESULTS: < 0.05 for both). Hypervitaminosis D (serum 25(OH)D >100 ng/mL) and vitamin D toxicity (serum 25(OH)D >150 ng/mL) were seen in 319 (1.2%) and 27 (0.1%) assays, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: This study provides data on seasonal and year-wise trends in vitamin D status over a long period of time at a tertiary care hospital in north India. A long-term trend toward improving vitamin D status, especially in females, was noted in the study. The prevalence of VDD was found to decrease in the analyzed samples during the study period.