Vitamin D status in health care professionals in Qatar.
OBJECTIVE
To investigate the prevalence of vitamin D deficiency among health care professionals working at Hamad Medical Corporation in Doha, Qatar.


METHODS
Between 15th January 2007 and 15th January 2008, 340 healthy volunteers were included in this study. Each subject completed a diary to determine the duration of sunlight exposure, and vitamin D supplements. Serum levels of 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25OHD), parathyroid hormone (PTH), calcium, phosphorus, alkaline phosphatase, total protein, and albumin were obtained. Those with abnormal results were called for counselling.


RESULTS
The mean overall vitamin D level was 11.7 ng/ml. It was lower in females (10.3 ng/ml) than in males (13.7 ng/ml). Ninety-seven percent of all participants had a mean level <30 ng/ml. Eighty-seven percent had a mean level of <20 ng/ml.


CONCLUSIONS
We concluded that the prevalence of vitamin D deficiency among health care professionals in Qatar is very high.
Mahdy
Salah
S
Department of Medicine, Rheumatology Section, Hamad Medical Corporation, PO Box 3050, Doha, Qatar. mahdysalah@hotmail.com
Al-Emadi
Samar A
SA
Khanjar
Izzat A
IA
Hammoudeh
Mohammed M
MM
Sarakbi
Housam A
HA
Siam
AbdulRahim M
AM
Abdelrahman
Mohammed Osman
MO
D000328:Adult; D019587:Dietary Supplements; D005260:Female; D006282:Health Personnel / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D010281:Parathyroid Hormone / Q000097:blood; D015995:Prevalence; D011780:Qatar / Q000453:epidemiology; D014807:Vitamin D / Q000097:blood / Q000627:therapeutic use; D014808:Vitamin D Deficiency / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000453:epidemiology*
D010281:Parathyroid Hormone; D014807:Vitamin D