CLINICAL STUDYPrevalence and predictors of vitamin D insufficiency in women of reproductive age living in northern latitude Claudia Gagnon1, Jean-Patrice Baillargeon1, Guillaume Desmarais1,2 and Guy D Fink2 1 Division of Endocrinology, Department of Medicine, Université de Sherbrooke, 12th Avenue North, Fleurimont, Québec, Canada J1H 5N4 2 Department of Clinical Biochemistry, Centre Hospitalier Universitaire de Sherbrooke, 12th Avenue North, Fleurimont, Québec, Canada J1H 5N4
Objective: This study assessed the prevalence of vitamin D deficiency (serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25OHD) 50 nmol/l) and insufficiency (serum 25OHD 51–74 nmol/l) during summer and the predictors of serum 25OHD in young women of reproductive age.
Design: Cross-sectional study.
Methods: Between May and September 2006, 153 healthy, ambulatory and essentially Caucasian women, aged 18–41 years, were recruited. Serum 25OHD and parathyroid hormone (PTH) levels were measured, and questionnaires were evaluated.
Results: About 3.9% of women had serum 25OHD 50 nmol/l with an additional 26.8% in the insufficient range. Most women (56.9%) had their blood sampled in September. Month of blood collection significantly influenced serum 25OHD. Body mass index (BMI) was inversely associated with serum 25OHD, while traveling to a warmer climate during winter/spring and using oral contraceptive pills (OCP) were associated with higher serum 25OHD. Sunscreen was used by 77.8% of women, but only 3.3% reported consuming vitamin D supplements. BMI, serum PTH, travel to a warmer climate, and OCP use were independently and significantly associated with serum 25OHD, after adjustment for the month of sampling, and explained 40% of the variance in serum 25OHD.
Conclusions: In Canada, the prevalence of vitamin D insufficiency is relatively high (30%) during summer in healthy women of reproductive age. Given the expected decrease in serum 25OHD during winter and the low consumption of vitamin D supplements, a high prevalence of vitamin D deficiency and insufficiency is to be anticipated during winter, except maybe for those traveling to a warmer climate.
