High prevalence of vitamin D deficiency in Japanese female patients with Graves' disease.
We reported previously that vitamin D deficiency is a causal mechanism of postoperative tetany in patients with Graves' disease. The aim of the present study was to determine the prevalence of vitamin D deficiency by reviewing serum 25(OH)D levels in 208 patients with Graves' disease (146 women, 62 men) during a 1 year period. Serum 25(OH)D levels were significantly lower (p < 0.001) in female Graves' patients (31.8 +/- 13.3 nmol/l) than in male patients (41.3 +/- 15.0 nmol/l). Vitamin D deficiency (defined as a serum 25(OH)D value below 25 nmol/l) was found in 40% of female patients and in 18% of male patients (p < 0.005). There was a significant seasonal variation in the 25(OH)D concentrations in female patients [amplitude 6.38 (95% CI, 5.42-7.56)], with values below 25 nmol/l found in 58% of female patients during the winter months. There were significant (p < 0.001) differences in serum 25(OH)D levels between age groups in the female patients. The concentrations were lowest in patients in their twenties (25.1 +/- 8.2 nmol/l) and highest in patients in their fifties and sixties (43.2 +/- 13.7 nmol/l). Serum 25(OH)D concentrations might be monitored in patients with Graves' disease during antithyroid drug therapy, and vitamin D and/or calcium supplements are recommended for patients with vitamin D deficiency.
Yamashita
H
H
Noguchi Thyroid Clinic and Hospital Foundation, Beppu, Oita, Japan.
Noguchi
S
S
Takatsu
K
K
Koike
E
E
Murakami
T
T
Watanabe
S
S
Uchino
S
S
Yamashita
H
H
Kawamoto
H
H
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000469:Alkaline Phosphatase / Q000097:blood; D013956:Antithyroid Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D002112:Calcifediol / Q000097:blood; D002118:Calcium / Q000097:blood; D002648:Child; D005260:Female; D006111:Graves Disease / Q000097:blood / Q000150:complications* / Q000188:drug therapy; D006801:Humans; D007564:Japan / Q000453:epidemiology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012621:Seasons; D012727:Sex Characteristics; D014808:Vitamin D Deficiency / Q000150:complications* / Q000453:epidemiology*
D013956:Antithyroid Agents; D000469:Alkaline Phosphatase; D002112:Calcifediol; D002118:Calcium