Abstract
Background
Specific sub-groups of the population, such as older people, are at increased risk of poor vitamin D status. There is growing evidence, however, that vitamin D insufficiency may be a more widespread problem.
Aim
To determine the prevalence of vitamin D insufficiency in a group of healthy Irish adults.
Methods
Serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D was measured by radioimmunoassay in 70 healthy Irish adults working in South Dublin.
Results
Overall, half of the group (51%) had vitamin D insufficiency; this was more pronounced in wintertime, with prevalence rising to 58%. Winter was a significant negative predictor of serum 25-OH D levels. Sixteen percent of the participants reported taking a vitamin D-containing supplement (multivitamin), but this did not significantly influence the serum 25-OH D levels.
Conclusion
Vitamin D insufficiency is not confined to “at-risk groups” and is likely to be prevalent in the general public in Ireland, especially in wintertime.
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Acknowledgment
This study was funded by the Meath Foundation, Dublin (http://www.meathfoundation.com).
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O’Sullivan, M., Nic Suibhne, T., Cox, G. et al. High prevalence of vitamin D insufficiency in healthy Irish adults. Ir J Med Sci 177, 131–134 (2008). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11845-008-0129-z
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11845-008-0129-z