Evaluation of Vitamin D status and the Age and Gender Associated Risk Factors in Libyan Population

Abstract

Background: Vitamin D deficiency is an international and national public health concern.

Objectives:  This study’s aims were to evaluate the status of vitamin D and the correlation between vitamin D deficiency with age and gender among Libyan population in Tripoli, Libya.

 Materials and Methods: A retrospective study was conducted with 2413 Libyan males and females aged 7 months-94 years attended Al-Tafani center for medical analyses from October, 2018 to September, 2022 in Tripoli. The circulating 25(OH) D levels were measured using Chemiluminescence Immunoassay (CLIA) System.

 Results: The vitamin D level distribution in the Libyan population showed significant differences between the vitamin D deficiency, insufficiency and sufficiency groups. The distribution of vitamin D levels in females and males groups reported significant differences between the vitamin D deficiency, insufficiency and sufficiency groups. Moreover, the vitamin D level was higher in the males group than the female group. High vitamin D levels in the 8^th and 9^th, and low in the 2^nd and 3^rd decade groups were observed when compared with the all decades groups. Vitamin D level in females was high in the 8^th and 9^th, and low in the 2^nd decade female groups when compared with the all decades female groups. Comparison of vitamin D levels with all decade's groups did not show significant differences in the male groups.

Conclusion: The 25(OH) D level was significantly higher in the male than the female participants involved in this study. Although the younger female participants had lower vitamin D level compared with the older participants, no significant difference was reported between the older and younger males. However, the distribution of 25(OH) D level was insufficient in most groups.