title: Vitamin D status in patients attending a Danish migrant health clinic: a clinical retrospective study.
abstract: Non-western migrants and ethnic minority populations in western countries are particularly at risk of vitamin D deficiency due to darker skin color and low sun exposure. The aim of this study was to examine levels of 25-OH vitamin D in patients attending a Danish health clinic for migrants. Patients attending the clinic represent a distinct group of migrants with longstanding, unresolved symptoms and often multiple illnesses. In this retrospective study, data on patient demographics and vitamin D levels were extracted from the medical records of 156 patients attending a Migrant Health Clinic in 2008-2011 who were considered at-risk for low vitamin D, mainly due to symptoms of diffuse pain in the muscles, bones or joints. Over the follow-up period of 1 year, the number of patients with vitamin D below 50 nmol/L decreased from 80 to 56%. The median vitamin D level increased from 27 nmol/L [(interquartile ranges (IQR 14.5-45.0)] at baseline to 45 nmol/L (IQR 26.5-64.5) at follow-up. Patient consultations with a holistic approach and close follow-up can help patients with complex symptoms and language barriers to overcome barriers to treatment and adherence, thus leading to improved levels of vitamin D.
authors.affiliation: Migrant Health Clinic, Department of Infectious Diseases, Odense University Hospital, University of Southern Denmark, 5000, Odense C, Denmark, dnielsen@health.sdu.dk.
authors.forename: Dorthe S
authors.initials: DS
authors.lastname: Nielsen
authors.forename: Dlama Nggida
authors.initials: DN
authors.lastname: Rasmussen
authors.forename: Morten
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Sodemann
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000554:Ambulatory Care Facilities; D003718:Denmark / Q000453:epidemiology; D054242:Emigrants and Immigrants / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D044469:Racial Groups / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012307:Risk Factors; D014807:Vitamin D / Q000097:blood; D014808:Vitamin D Deficiency / Q000208:ethnology*
chemical_list: D014807:Vitamin D