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Vitamin D Status in Patients Attending a Danish Migrant Health Clinic: A Clinical Retrospective Study

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Abstract

Non-western migrants and ethnic minority populations in western countries are particularly at risk of vitamin D deficiency due to darker skin color and low sun exposure. The aim of this study was to examine levels of 25-OH vitamin D in patients attending a Danish health clinic for migrants. Patients attending the clinic represent a distinct group of migrants with longstanding, unresolved symptoms and often multiple illnesses. In this retrospective study, data on patient demographics and vitamin D levels were extracted from the medical records of 156 patients attending a Migrant Health Clinic in 2008–2011 who were considered at-risk for low vitamin D, mainly due to symptoms of diffuse pain in the muscles, bones or joints. Over the follow-up period of 1 year, the number of patients with vitamin D below 50 nmol/L decreased from 80 to 56 %. The median vitamin D level increased from 27 nmol/L [(interquartile ranges (IQR 14.5–45.0)] at baseline to 45 nmol/L (IQR 26.5–64.5) at follow-up. Patient consultations with a holistic approach and close follow-up can help patients with complex symptoms and language barriers to overcome barriers to treatment and adherence, thus leading to improved levels of vitamin D.

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Acknowledgments

Thanks to Claire Gudex for language editing of the manuscript. Financial support was received from a Grant from Region of Southern Denmark and from The Augustinus Foundation.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Migrant Health Clinic, Department of Infectious Diseases, Odense University Hospital, University of Southern Denmark, 5000, Odense C, Denmark

    Dorthe S. Nielsen, Dlama Nggida Rasmussen & Morten Sodemann

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  1. Dorthe S. Nielsen
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  2. Dlama Nggida Rasmussen
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  3. Morten Sodemann
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Correspondence to Dorthe S. Nielsen.

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Nielsen, D.S., Rasmussen, D.N. & Sodemann, M. Vitamin D Status in Patients Attending a Danish Migrant Health Clinic: A Clinical Retrospective Study. J Immigrant Minority Health 17, 474–481 (2015). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10903-014-0031-x

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10903-014-0031-x

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