Very high prevalence of 25-hydroxyvitamin D deficiency in 6433 UK South Asian adults: analysis of the UK Biobank Cohort. Issue 4 (28th February 2021)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Darling, Andrea L.; Blackbourn, David J.; Ahmadi, Kourosh R.; Lanham-New, Susan A.
• Is Part Of: British journal of nutrition. Volume 125:Issue 4(2021)
• Page Start: 448
• Page End: 459
• Publication Date: 2021-02-28
• Subjects: 25-Hydroxyvitamin D, -- Ethnicity, -- Epidemiology, -- Cohort studies; Nutrition -- Periodicals; 572.4
• DOI: 10.1017/S0007114520002779
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0007-1145

Abstract

Abstract: Little research has assessed serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25(OH)D) concentration and its predictors in Western-dwelling South Asians in a relatively large sample size. This observational, cross-sectional analysis assessed baseline prevalence of 25(OH)D deficiency in UK-dwelling South Asians (aged 40–69 years, 2006–2010) from the UK Biobank Cohort. Serum 25(OH)D measurements were undertaken using the DiaSorin Liaison XL assay. Of 6433 South Asians with a 25(OH)D measurement, using commonly used cut-off thresholds, 55 % ( n 3538) had 25(OH)D < 25 nmol/l (severe deficiency) and 92 % ( n 5918) had 25(OH)D < 50 nmol/l (insufficiency). Of the participants with a measurement, 20 % ( n 1287) had 25(OH)D concentration <15 nmol/l (very severe deficiency). When 824 participants with undetectable (<10 nmol/l) 25(OH)D measurements were included (total n 7257), 29 % ( n 2105) had 25(OH)D < 15 nmol/l, 60 % ( n 4354) had 25(OH)D < 25 nmol/l and 93 % ( n 6749) had 25(OH)D < 50 nmol/l. Logistic regression predictors of 25(OH)D < 25 nmol/l included the following characteristics: being male; Pakistani; higher BMI; 40–59 years old; never consuming oily fish; summer sun exposure <5 h/d, not using a vitamin D-containing supplement, measurement in winter or spring and vegetarianism. In terms of region, median 25(OH)D concentration was 19–20 nmol/l in Scotland, Northern England, the Midlands and Wales. Across Southern England and London, it was slightly higher at 24–25 nmol/l. Our analyses suggest the need for increased awareness of vitamin D deficiency in South Asians as well as urgent public health interventions to prevent and treat vitamin D deficiency in this group.