Vitamin D deficiency in Ukraine: A multicentre cross-sectional study

Abstract

Background: Available epidemiological data on vitamin D status in the Ukrainian population are limited. Objective: The aim of this study is to investigate the prevalence of vitamin D deficiency in Ukraine. Methods: This multicentre cross-sectional study included a total of 11,462 participants: 1530 children with a median age 10 years, (IQR 6–14) and 56.21 % of them were female; 9932 adults with a median age of 36 years (IQR 26–48) and 78.72 % of them were female. Serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25(OH)D) levels were measured once by chemiluminescent immunoassay (UniCel DxI 800 Access Immunoassay System, Beckman Coulter Inc., USA) in the period of January–December 2021 in Kyiv and Kyiv Oblast. The cut-offs were: vitamin D deficiency, <50 nmol/L; moderate deficiency, 25–<50 nmol/L; severe deficiency, <25 nmol/L; vitamin D insufficiency, 50–<75 nmol/L; vitamin D sufficiency, 75–<250 nmol/L; optimal concentration, 75–<125 nmol/L; increased levels, 125–<250 nmol/L; and toxicity, ≥250 nmol/L. Results: The median 25(OH)D level was 65.4 nmol/L (IQR 49.5–85.6) among all participants, severe vitamin D deficiency was recorded in 2.9 % of participants (95 % CI: 2.6–3.2), moderate deficiency in 23 % (95 % CI: 22–24), and vitamin D insufficiency in 37 % (95 % CI: 36–38). Prevalence of vitamin D deficiency in group 1–17 years was 23.5 % (95 % CI: 21–26). We did not find vitamin D deficiency in children aged 1–2 years; however toxic levels were recorded in 4.2 % of the children in this age group (95 % CI: 1.4–9.6). Among the adults (≥18 years old), prevalence of vitamin D deficiency was 26 % (95 % CI: 25–27). Conclusion: Vitamin D deficiency and insufficiency are common in Ukraine.