Evaluation of Serum Vitamin D Levels according to Gender and Age at Karapınar City: A Follow-Up Study from Turkey

Aim: Vitamin D is one of the major hormones involved in phosphorus metabolism in the secosteroid structure. Studies have shown that low serum vitamin D levels are associated with chronic diseases such as autoimmune diseases, diabetes mellitus, chronic renal failure, depression, cardiovascular diseases, hypertension, and cancer. The aim of this study was to investigate serum vitamin D levels in the adult population according to age and gender in Karapınar, Turkey. Materials and Methods: Serum vitamin D levels of 6,774 patients admitted to Karapınar Public Hospital between January and December 2018 were evaluated according to age and gender, investigated, and retrospectively screened. Serum vitamin D level <10 ng/mL is accepted as deficiency, 10–30 ng/mL as insufficiency, 30–100 ng/mL as sufficiency, and >100 ng/mL as toxicity. Results: The study consisted of 5,111 women (75.5%) and 1,663 men (24%). The mean vitamin D levels were 14.6 ± 0.2 ng/mL in women and 17.8 ± 0.3 ng/mL in men. Vitamin D levels were found to be lower in both men and women as age progressed. Deficiency (<10 ng/mL) of vitamin D was found in 83.8% of women and 18.2% of men, while insufficiency (10–30 ng/mL) of vitamin D was found in 69.6% of women and 30.4% of men. Conclusion: In this study, in patients who were admitted to our hospital in Karapınar City, serious vitamin D deficiency was detected. We recommend that people should take vitamin D and calcium supplements and they also should have more exposure to the sunlight.