title: Prevalence of vitamin D deficiency during the summer and its relationship with sun exposure and skin phototype in elderly men living in the tropics.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The aim of the study reported here was to determine the prevalence of vitamin D deficiency among elderly men and its association with sun exposure and skin phototypes.
  
  
  METHODS
  This was an analytical cross-sectional study, which involved 284 men aged 60 years or over, randomly recruited from a basic care unit in the city of Recife (Brazil).
  
  
  METHODS
  Serum levels of 25 hydroxyvitamin D (25(OH)D), sun index, and skin phototypes were evaluated.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The prevalence of vitamin D deficiency was 31.5% and 66.7% when cut points of less than 20 and 30 ng/mL, respectively, were used. Mean serum 25(OH)D was 27.86 ± 13.52 standard deviation (SD) ng/mL. There was no difference (P = 0.113) in 25(OH) D (23.98 ± 14.66 SD vs 29.88 ± 13.78 SD) between individuals in the lowest quartile (Q) of the sun index (Q1: 1.96) compared with those in the highest (Q4: 7.86). When considering a cutoff of 20 ng/mL, the sun index was different in the two groups (P = 0.006), but there was no difference when cutoffs of 25 and 30 ng/mL were used. After adjustment, sun index and body mass index were associated positively and negatively, respectively with serum 25(OH)D independently. Most subjects (66.7%) had Fitzpatrick's skin phototypes IV, V, and VI. Low calcium intake was observed in 72%. There was no difference in serum 25(OH)D levels between patients with low intake and those with intermediate and high intakes. Only 2.5% were taking a vitamin supplement.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  We found a high prevalence of vitamin D deficiency among elderly men despite their high sun exposure during the summer months.
authors.affiliation: Department of Clinical Medicine, University of Pernambuco Medical School, Recife, Brazil.
authors.forename: Marcelo Azevedo
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Cabral
authors.forename: Carla Núbia
authors.initials: CN
authors.lastname: Borges
authors.forename: Juliana Maria Coelho
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Maia
authors.forename: Caio Augusto Martins
authors.initials: CA
authors.lastname: Aires
authors.forename: Francisco
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Bandeira
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D015992:Body Mass Index; D001938:Brazil / Q000453:epidemiology; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D015995:Prevalence; D012621:Seasons; D012880:Skin Pigmentation; D013472:Sunlight; D014329:Tropical Climate; D014808:Vitamin D Deficiency / Q000453:epidemiology*
keywords: Brazil; body mass index; serum 25(OH)D levels; sun index