title: High prevalence of vitamin D deficiency in adults aged 50 years and older in Gwangju, Korea: the Dong-gu Study.
abstract: Vitamin D plays an important role in bone metabolism and maintaining bone health. Recently, new evidence has revealed that vitamin D affects chronic diseases such as autoimmune diseases, cardiovascular diseases and certain cancers. The aim of this study was to evaluate the vitamin D status and the prevalence of vitamin D deficiency in an urban Korean population. This study included 8,976 participants (3,587 men and 5,389 women) aged 50 yr and older. Serum 25(OH)D level was measured by chemiluminescent microparticle immunoassay. The prevalence of vitamin D deficiency [25(OH)D < 20 ng/mL] was 59.7% and 86.5% in men and women, respectively. The prevalence of vitamin D deficiency increased significantly with age in men, but not in women and it decreased from April to July, more prominently in men than in women. These results suggest that sun exposure, intake of vitamin D supplement, and regular physical activities is recommended in an urban Koreans, especially in women.
authors.affiliation: Department of Preventive Medicine, Chonnam National University Medical School, Gwangju, Korea.
authors.forename: Hye-Rim
authors.initials: HR
authors.lastname: Song
authors.affiliation: Department of Preventive Medicine, Chonnam National University Medical School, Gwangju, Korea. ; Jeonnam Regional Cancer Center, Chonnam National University Hwasun Hospital, Hwasun, Korea.
authors.forename: Sun-Seog
authors.initials: SS
authors.lastname: Kweon
authors.affiliation: Department of Preventive Medicine, Chonnam National University Medical School, Gwangju, Korea.
authors.forename: Jin-Su
authors.initials: JS
authors.lastname: Choi
authors.affiliation: Department of Preventive Medicine, Chonnam National University Medical School, Gwangju, Korea.
authors.forename: Jung-Ae
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Rhee
authors.affiliation: Department of Preventive Medicine & Institute of Wonkwang Medical Science, Wonkwang University College of Medicine, Iksan, Korea.
authors.forename: Young-Hoon
authors.initials: YH
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.affiliation: Department of Preventive Medicine, Chungnam National University Medical School, Daejeon, Korea.
authors.forename: Hae-Sung
authors.initials: HS
authors.lastname: Nam
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurology & Research Institute of Clinical Medicine, Chonbuk National University-Biomedical Institute of Chonbuk National University Hospital, Jeonju, Korea.
authors.forename: Seul-Ki
authors.initials: SK
authors.lastname: Jeong
authors.affiliation: Department of Preventive Medicine, Seonam University College of Medicine, Namwon, Korea.
authors.forename: Kyeong-Soo
authors.initials: KS
authors.lastname: Park
authors.affiliation: Department of Preventive Medicine, Chosun University Medical School, Gwangju, Korea.
authors.forename: So-Yeon
authors.initials: SY
authors.lastname: Ryu
authors.affiliation: Department of Preventive Medicine, Chosun University Medical School, Gwangju, Korea.
authors.forename: Seong-Woo
authors.initials: SW
authors.lastname: Choi
authors.affiliation: Department of Preventive Medicine, Chonnam National University Medical School, Gwangju, Korea.
authors.forename: Min-Ho
authors.initials: MH
authors.lastname: Shin
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000375:Aging; D001842:Bone and Bones / Q000378:metabolism; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D015995:Prevalence; D056910:Republic of Korea / Q000453:epidemiology; D012307:Risk Factors; D012737:Sex Factors; D014807:Vitamin D / Q000097:blood*; D014808:Vitamin D Deficiency / Q000097:blood / Q000453:epidemiology*
chemical_list: D014807:Vitamin D
keywords: Deficiency; Prevalence; Vitamin D