Year-round vitamin D deficiency among Saudi female out-patients

摘要: OBJECTIVE The aim of the present study was to investigate vitamin D status among female out-patients in Saudi Arabia during summer and winter seasons. DESIGN Data were retrospectively collected using medical record abstraction. SETTING A multidisciplinary hospital Riyadh between January December 2009. SUBJECTS females (age ≥19 years; n 1556) attending out-patient clinics for various complaints comprised studied population. population subdivided into two groups depending on date their visit where blood samples collected: (n 659) 897). group further premenopausal 19-49 425) postmenopausal subgroups ≥50 234). Similarly, 543) 354). Serum levels 25-hydroxyvitamin (25(OH)D) measured HPLC. RESULTS prevalence deficiency (25(OH)D <50 nmol/l) high both (80 % 68 %, respectively) summer, as well (85 76 respectively). CONCLUSIONS observed throughout year despite routine supplementation with 10-20 μg D3 women. Clinicians should seriously consider determining routinely prescribing them proper supplementation.