Association of sunlight exposure with 25-hydroxyvitamin D levels among working urban adult Filipinos
10.1016/j.afos.2020.08.006
- Author:
Noemie Marie M. MANSIBANG
1
;
Marc Gregory Y. YU
;
Cecilia A. JIMENO
;
Frances Lina LANTION-ANG
Author Information
1. Section of Endocrinology, Diabetes and Metabolism, Department of Medicine, University of the Philippines Manila-Philippine General Hospital, Philippines
- From:Osteoporosis and Sarcopenia
2020;6(3):133-138
- CountryRepublic of Korea
- Language:English
-
Abstract:
Objectives:To determine the association of different levels of sunlight exposure, measured using the Filipino sunlight exposure questionnaire (SEQ) with 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25-OHD) levels among working urban adult Filipinos.
Methods:Seventy-five adult participants, living and working in Metro Manila, for at least 1 year, were grouped according to their perceived sunlight exposure pattern: low sunlight exposure (mostly indoor work); moderate sunlight exposure (both indoor and outdoor work); and high sunlight exposure (mostly outdoor work). After completion of the self-administered Filipino SEQ, they underwent serum 25-OHD level determination. Strength of correlation between the SEQ scores and 25-OHD levels was computed.
Results:Serum 25-OHD levels generally increased with increasing sunlight exposure levels. The overall Pearson’s correlation between the SEQ scores and 25-OHD levels of the participants was 0.396 (P ¼ 0.001). The correlation for the individual domains was 0.342 for intensity of sunlight exposure (P ¼ 0.003), 0.321 for factors affecting sunlight exposure (P ¼ 0.005), and 0.256 for sun protection practices (P ¼ 0.027).
Conclusions:The sunlight exposure of working urban adult Filipinos, as measured by the Filipino SEQ, has an overall significant, direct and moderate association with serum 25-OHD levels. This Filipino SEQ can serve as a valuable clinical tool for sunlight exposure assessment to identify individuals at risk for vitamin D deficiency.
