[Prevalence and symptoms of vitamin D deficiency in general practices]

Praxis (Bern 1994). 2012 Oct 31;101(22):1417-22. doi: 10.1024/1661-8157/a001099.
[Article in German]

Abstract

In 776 primary care patients serum vitamin D level was measured in month of september showing deficiency (<50 nmol/l) in 45,1%, severe deficiency (<30 nmol/l) in 9,8% and serum levels below the recommended target level of 75 nmol/l in 88,9% of cases. Three possible symptoms of vitamin D deficiency were assessed by a visual analogue scale (0-10): fatigue, muscle weakness, and muscle and joint pain. A significant correlation between muscle weakness and degree of vitamin D deficiency was shown (p=0,04), whereas there was no correlation in the two other symptoms. However, patients with vitamin D deficiency more frequently reported fatigue (p=0,02) and muscle weakness (p=0,009) than patients without deficiency did, and no difference was seen concerning muscle and joint pain.

Publication types

  • English Abstract

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Aged, 80 and over
  • Calcifediol / blood
  • Cross-Sectional Studies
  • Female
  • General Practice / statistics & numerical data
  • Health Surveys
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Reference Values
  • Switzerland
  • Vitamin D Deficiency / blood
  • Vitamin D Deficiency / diagnosis*
  • Vitamin D Deficiency / epidemiology*
  • Young Adult

Substances

  • Calcifediol