High prevalence of vitamin D insufficiency in a United Kingdom urban morbidly obese population: Implications for testing and treatment

Clare Grace*, Royce Vincent, Simon Aylwin

*Corresponding author for this work

    Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

    27 Citations (Scopus)

    Abstract

    Background: Current recommendations suggest universal screening of vitamin D status before bariatric surgery to identify individuals at risk for postoperative deficiency. However little is known about the magnitude or severity of vitamin D insufficiency in the morbidly obese population awaiting bariatric surgery in the United Kingdom. The purpose of this prospective observational study was to assess the prevalence and determinants of vitamin D insufficiency in an urban multiethnic U.K. population awaiting bariatric surgery.

    Methods: Consecutive patients attending a morbid obesity service were comprehensively assessed using a recognized obesity staging tool. Data collected included 25-hydroxyvitamin D [25(OH)D], parathyroid hormone (PTH), corrected calcium (Ca2+), body mass index (BMI), and the presence and severity of obesity associated co-morbidities, including type 2 diabetes (T2 DM), cardiovascular disease (CVD), depression, obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), and functional limitation.

    Results: Of the 118 patients assessed, 79% were female, and 21% were male, with BMI of 52.6 +/- 9.4 kg/m(2) (mean +/- standard deviation) and mean age of 44 +/- 11 years. Twenty-four percent had T2 DM, 28% CVD, 31% OSA, and 21% depression. Vitamin D insufficiency was found in 90% of the population, with a median serum 25(OH)D of 8.8 ng/mL. Secondary hyperparathyroidism was present in 43% of those with vitamin D insufficiency. Risk was not influenced by ethnicity, age, or gender. However severe functional limitation was associated with lower vitamin D status.

    Conclusion: Regardless of ethnicity, vitamin D insufficiency appears to be typical among this clinic population; therefore, routine vitamin D supplementation is suggested for all individuals awaiting bariatric surgery rather than testing vitamin D status in an attempt to identify high-risk individuals.

    Original languageEnglish
    Pages (from-to)355-360
    Number of pages6
    JournalSurgery for obesity and related diseases
    Volume10
    Issue number2
    DOIs
    Publication statusPublished - Mar 2014

    Keywords

    • Vitamin D deficiency
    • Vitamin D insufficiency
    • Prevalence
    • Morbid obesity
    • BARIATRIC SURGERY
    • 25-HYDROXYVITAMIN D
    • D DEFICIENCY
    • MANAGEMENT
    • SOCIETY
    • DIETARY
    • ADULTS
    • WOMEN
    • AGE

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