Prevalence of vitamin D deficiency and its associated factors among the urban elderly population in Hyderabad metropolitan city, South India

Abstract

Background: Deficiency of vitamin D has been associated with various health conditions. However, vitamin D deficiency (VDD) and factors associated with VDD are not well studied, especially among the urban elderly population of India.

Aim: To assess the prevalence of VDD and its associated factors among the urban free-living elderly population in Hyderabad.

Subjects and methods: A community-based cross-sectional study was conducted among 298 urban elderly (≥60 years) by adapting a random sampling procedure. Demographic particulars were collected. Blood pressure and anthropometric measurements were recorded using standard equipment. Fasting glucose, lipid profile and 25-hydroxy vitamin D [25(OH) D] were estimated in plasma samples.

Results: The mean ± SE plasma vitamin D and the prevalence of VDD among the urban elderly population were 19.3 ± 0.54 (ng/ml) and 56.3%, respectively. The prevalence of VDD was significantly associated with education, high body mass index (BMI), hypertension (HT) and metabolic syndrome (MS). Multiple logistic regression analysis revealed HT as a significant predictor of vitamin D deficiency and the risk of VDD was double among the elderly with hypertension.

Conclusions: The prevalence of VDD was high among the urban elderly population in the south Indian city of Hyderabad. High BMI, MS, HT and education are significant associated factors of VDD.

Keywords:

• Vitamin D deficiency
• urban elderly
• hypertension
• metabolic syndrome

Acknowledgements

This study was supported by the Department of Science and Technology (DST), Government of India (Grant No: SB/EMEQ-153/2013) and National Institute of Nutrition (Indian council of Medical research), Government of India. All the authors are thankful to the elderly study subjects who participated in our study.

Disclosure statement

The authors report no conflicts of interest. The authors alone are responsible for the content and writing of the paper.

Additional information

Funding

This work was supported by Science and Engineering Research Board (SERB), SB/EMEQ-153/2013.