The burden of vitamin D deficiency in a mediterranean country without a policy of food fortification

The burden of vitamin D deficiency in a mediterranean country without a policy of food fortification

Authors

  • Giuseppe Lippi Laboratory of Clinical Chemistry and Hematology, Academic Hospital of Parma.
  • Antonio Nouvenne Internal Medicine and Critical Subacute Care Unit, Parma University Hospital, Parma, Italy; Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Parma, Parma, Italy
  • Andrea Ticinesi Internal Medicine and Critical Subacute Care Unit, Parma University Hospital, Parma, Italy; Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Parma, Parma, Italy
  • Patrizia Bonelli Laboratory of Clinical Chemistry and Hematology, Academic Hospital of Parma.
  • Gian Luca Salvagno Laboratory of Clinical Chemistry and Hematology, University of Verona, Verona, Italy
  • Gianfranco Cervellin Emergency Department, Academic Hospital of Parma, Parma, Italy
  • Gian Cesare Guidi Laboratory of Clinical Chemistry and Hematology, University of Verona, Verona, Italy

Keywords:

vitamin D, deficiency, deficit, prevention

Abstract

Background: Vitamin D deficiency is a public healthcare issue and its correction is increasingly regarded as a cornerstone of preventive medicine. Methods: We designed a retrospective observational study to clearly define the burden of total vitamin D (25-hydroxyvitamin D) deficiency in a supposedly healthy population of outpatients residing in two regions (Emilia Romagna and Veneto) of Northern Italy. Results: 25-hydroxyvitamin D results were available for a total number of 5,096 outpatients in the two centers. The median value of 25-hydroxyvitamin D was 60 nmol/L, and was higher in women than in men (62 nmol/L versus 56 nmol/L; p<0.001). The rate of 25-hydroxyvitamin D deficiency was 36%, and was marginally but significantly higher in men than in women (40% versus 35%; p=0.003). A significant variation in the rate of 25-hydroxyvitamin D deficiency was found throughout different age ranges, exhibiting a significant increase in the elderly. Conclusions: The results of this large observational study show that the burden of 25-hydroxyvitamin D deficiency in two regions of a Mediterranean country without a policy of food fortification is as high as 36%, and this evidence represents a background for healthcare preventive measures aimed at reducing the prevalence of this condition in the general population. (www.actabiomedica.it)

Author Biographies

Giuseppe Lippi, Laboratory of Clinical Chemistry and Hematology, Academic Hospital of Parma.

Director, Laboratory of Clinical Chemistry and Hematology, Academic Hospital of Parma, Parma, Italy

Antonio Nouvenne, Internal Medicine and Critical Subacute Care Unit, Parma University Hospital, Parma, Italy; Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Parma, Parma, Italy

Professor, Internal Medicine and Critical Subacute Care Unit, Parma University Hospital, Parma, Italy; Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Parma, Parma, Italy

Andrea Ticinesi, Internal Medicine and Critical Subacute Care Unit, Parma University Hospital, Parma, Italy; Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Parma, Parma, Italy

PhD, Internal Medicine and Critical Subacute Care Unit, Parma University Hospital, Parma, Italy; Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Parma, Parma, Italy

Patrizia Bonelli, Laboratory of Clinical Chemistry and Hematology, Academic Hospital of Parma.

Senior Assistant, Laboratory of Clinical Chemistry and Hematology, Academic Hospital of Parma.

Gian Luca Salvagno, Laboratory of Clinical Chemistry and Hematology, University of Verona, Verona, Italy

Associate Professor, Laboratory of Clinical Chemistry and Hematology, University of Verona, Verona, Italy

Gianfranco Cervellin, Emergency Department, Academic Hospital of Parma, Parma, Italy

Director, Emergency Department, Academic Hospital of Parma, Parma, Italy

Gian Cesare Guidi, Laboratory of Clinical Chemistry and Hematology, University of Verona, Verona, Italy

Full Professor and Director, Laboratory of Clinical Chemistry and Hematology, University of Verona, Verona, Italy

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Published

27-04-2015

Issue

Vol. 86 No. 1 (2015): Acta BioMed 1-2015

Section

ORIGINAL ARTICLES

License

This is an Open Access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0) which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.

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How to Cite

1.
Lippi G, Nouvenne A, Ticinesi A, et al. The burden of vitamin D deficiency in a mediterranean country without a policy of food fortification. Acta Biomed. 2015;86(1):59-62. Accessed December 19, 2024. https://mattioli1885journals.com/index.php/actabiomedica/article/view/4243