High Prevalence of Vitamin D Deficiency in Adults Aged 50 Years and Older in Gwangju, Korea: the Dong-gu Study.
10.3346/jkms.2014.29.1.149
- Author:
Hye Rim SONG
1
;
Sun Seog KWEON
;
Jin Su CHOI
;
Jung Ae RHEE
;
Young Hoon LEE
;
Hae Sung NAM
;
Seul Ki JEONG
;
Kyeong Soo PARK
;
So Yeon RYU
;
Seong Woo CHOI
;
Min Ho SHIN
Author Information
1. Department of Preventive Medicine, Chonnam National University Medical School, Gwangju, Korea. mhshinx@paran.com
- Publication Type:Brief Communication ; Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
- Keywords:
Vitamin D;
Deficiency;
Prevalence
- MeSH:
Aged;
Aging;
Bone and Bones/metabolism;
Female;
Humans;
Male;
Middle Aged;
Prevalence;
Republic of Korea/epidemiology;
Risk Factors;
Sex Factors;
Vitamin D/*blood;
Vitamin D Deficiency/blood/*epidemiology
- From:Journal of Korean Medical Science
2014;29(1):149-152
- CountryRepublic of Korea
- Language:English
-
Abstract:
Vitamin D plays an important role in bone metabolism and maintaining bone health. Recently, new evidence has revealed that vitamin D affects chronic diseases such as autoimmune diseases, cardiovascular diseases and certain cancers. The aim of this study was to evaluate the vitamin D status and the prevalence of vitamin D deficiency in an urban Korean population. This study included 8,976 participants (3,587 men and 5,389 women) aged 50 yr and older. Serum 25(OH)D level was measured by chemiluminescent microparticle immunoassay. The prevalence of vitamin D deficiency [25(OH)D < 20 ng/mL] was 59.7% and 86.5% in men and women, respectively. The prevalence of vitamin D deficiency increased significantly with age in men, but not in women and it decreased from April to July, more prominently in men than in women. These results suggest that sun exposure, intake of vitamin D supplement, and regular physical activities is recommended in an urban Koreans, especially in women.
