title: Vitamin D deficiency in risk groups living in tropical Curaçao.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Curaçao (12 degrees 10ON, 69 degrees OW) is characterized by whole year abundant sunshine (8-10 hours/day). We challenged the automatic assumption that people living in tropical countries do not have a high risk of vitamin D deficiency, and investigated the vitamin D status in a tropical environment.
  
  
  METHODS
  For this, we selected fifty-two elderly people with little or no exposure to direct sunlight [median 84 (60-96) years; 34females, 18 males] and who were cared for by community nurses or lived in retirement or nursing homes. Furthermore, six rehabilitating orthopaedic patients [median 72 (38-90) years; one female, five males] were included. Serum 25(OH)D, calcium, phosphate, parathyroid hormone (PTH) and creatinine were measured. Those exhibiting elevated creatinine, PTH or both had their 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D [1,25(OH)2D] examined.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Serum levels of 25(OH)D below 25, 50 and 75 nmol/L were detected in, respectively, seven (12%), 22 (38%) and 48 (83%) ofthe fifty-eight persons. Four persons had combined high creatinine and PTH, and low 1,25(OH)2D, which was not known by their caregivers.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Abundant sunshine outdoors is no guarantee for vitamin D sufficiency. More attention is needed for vitamin D deficiency in risk groups living in tropical areas and elderly persons with poor kidney function.
authors.affiliation: Laboratory Medicine, University of Groningen, University Medical Center Groningen, Groningen, The Netherlands.
authors.forename: T J M
authors.initials: TJ
authors.lastname: Leenders
authors.affiliation: Nursing Home Betbsda, Willemstad, CuraCao, Netherlands Antilles.
authors.forename: F H A
authors.initials: FH
authors.lastname: van Eijndhoven
authors.affiliation: Laboratory Medicine, University of Groningen, University Medical Center Groningen, Groningen, The Netherlands.
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: van der Veer
authors.affiliation: Laboratory Medicine, University of Groningen, University Medical Center Groningen, Groningen, The Netherlands.
authors.forename: F A J
authors.initials: FA
authors.lastname: Muskiet
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D002117:Calcitriol / Q000097:blood; D002118:Calcium / Q000097:blood; D003404:Creatinine / Q000097:blood; D005260:Female; D006699:Home Care Services; D006707:Homes for the Aged; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009427:Netherlands Antilles / Q000453:epidemiology; D009735:Nursing Homes; D010281:Parathyroid Hormone / Q000097:blood; D010710:Phosphates / Q000097:blood; D012047:Rehabilitation Centers; D012306:Risk; D013472:Sunlight; D014807:Vitamin D / Q000031:analogs & derivatives / Q000097:blood; D014808:Vitamin D Deficiency / Q000097:blood / Q000453:epidemiology*
chemical_list: D010281:Parathyroid Hormone; D010710:Phosphates; D014807:Vitamin D; C104450:25-hydroxyvitamin D; D003404:Creatinine; D002117:Calcitriol; D002118:Calcium