Meteorological Condition and Air Pollution Exposure Associated with Vitamin D Deficiency: A Cross-Sectional Population-Based Study in China

Abstract

Objective

The aim of this study was to investigate the status of Vitamin D deficiency and the effect of environmental factors on Vitamin D levels so as to provide theoretical support for public health promotion in this region.

Methods

A total of 22,387 subjects who underwent a physical examination at the center in the West China Hospital, Sichuan University, between April, 2018 and May, 2020 were enrolled in this study. Their data on gender, age, inspection date, serum 25 hydroxyvitamin D (25-(OH) D), parathyroid hormone (PTH), and total calcium were retrospectively reviewed. Next, the percentage of Vitamin D status was compared in different sex and age groups, and the fluctuation of Vitamin D level was described in relation to the change of environment. Finally, the univariable and multivariable linear regression analyses were performed to explore the risk and protective factors of Vitamin D deficiency.

Results

The proportion of Vitamin D deficiency in this area was 42.17%, and it was significantly higher among women and young people. The fluctuation trend of 25-(OH) D levels are consistent with temperature and solar radiation, and opposite to air quality, in the whole year. There was a positive relationship between 25-(OH) D levels with temperature and solar radiation; however, parathyroid hormone, female and AQI were negatively correlated with Vitamin D levels.

Conclusion

Vitamin D deficiency is common in subtropic areas, such as Sichuan Basin, which is related to solar radiation and air pollution.

Keywords:

• Vitamin D deficiency
• 25 hydroxyvitamin D
• environmental factors
• air quality index

Acknowledgments

Thanks for the fund of the National Natural Science Foundation of China (81902142), the Sichuan Science and Technology Department (2020YFS0096, 2020YFH0114).

Abbreviations

VDD, Vitamin D deficiency; 25-(OH) D, 25 hydroxyvitamin D; PTH, parathyroid hormone; TCa, total calcium; AQI, Air Quality Index; PM2.5, fine particulate matter; PM10, inhalable particles; SO2, sulfur dioxide; NO2, nitrogen dioxide; O3, Ozone; CO, carbon monoxide.

Data Sharing Statement

Daily total radiation and net radiation (2018.04-2019.11) were downloaded from the China Meteorological Data Network (http://data.cma.cn/site/index.html). Daily Air Quality Index (AQI) (2018.04-2020.05) was downloaded from the air quality online monitoring and analysis platform (https://www.aqistudy.cn/). The data, including gender, age, inspection date, serum 25-(OH) D, and PTH, were collected from the laboratory information system (LIS), and it can be obtained with the consent of the corresponding author.

Compliance with Ethical Standards

The study received approval from the Ethics Committee of West China Hospital, Sichuan University (Approval No: 977 (2019))

Disclosure

The authors report no conflict of interest.