title: Vitamin D deficiency among physicians: a comparison between hospitalists and community-based physicians.
abstract: Physicians are indoor workers with low sun exposure. The aim of this study was to compare serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D(25(OH)D) levels among hospitalists and community-based physicians. 25(OH)D levels among hospitalist physicians were significantly lower than those among community-based physicians. Hospitalist physicians should be considered for vitamin D deficiency screening and replacement.
  
  
  BACKGROUND
  Vitamin D deficiency is now recognized as a widespread phenomenon, even in a sunny, Mediterranean country such as Israel. Physicians may be vulnerable to low vitamin D levels due to long work hours and lack of sun exposure.
  
  
  METHODS
  Forty-three physicians employed in a hospital and 38 physicians who work in the community in Jerusalem were enrolled. Their serum 25(OH)D levels were measured, and a questionnaire was filled to assess the risk of vitamin D deficiency.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Mean serum levels of 25(OH)D among hospitalist physicians were significantly lower than those among community-based physicians (15 ± 6 vs. 19.7 ± 6 ng/ml, respectively; p < 0.00 l). Arab physicians had a lower 25(OH)D level compared to Jewish physicians (18.2 ± 6.6 vs. 11.4 ± 2.7 ng/ml; p < 0.001). After exclusion of Arab physicians from the analysis, 25(OH)D levels remained higher in hospitalist compared to community-based physicians (15.9 ± 6 vs. 20.4 ± 6 ng/ml; p < 0.004). The variables that were significantly linked to low mean serum levels of 25(OH)D were as follows: age, night shifts, daily sun exposure, and ethnic origin.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Hospitalist physicians are at greater risk for low vitamin D levels than community-based physicians.
authors: Department of Internal Medicine and Endocrine Unit, Shaare Zedek Medical Center, Jerusalem, Israel. gmunter@szmc.org.il.|Faculty of Medicine, Hebrew University, POB 3235, 91031, Jerusalem, Israel. gmunter@szmc.org.il.
authors: G
authors: G
authors: Munter
authors: Department of Ophthalmology, Shaare Zedek Medical Center, Jerusalem, Israel.
authors: T
authors: T
authors: Levi-Vineberg
authors: Department of Internal Medicine and Endocrine Unit, Shaare Zedek Medical Center, Jerusalem, Israel.
authors: N
authors: N
authors: Sylvetsky
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D020445:Hospitalists / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D006801:Humans; D007557:Israel / Q000453:epidemiology; D008019:Life Style; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009784:Occupational Diseases / Q000097:blood / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000209:etiology; D010561:Personnel Staffing and Scheduling / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D010821:Physicians, Family / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D012307:Risk Factors; D014807:Vitamin D / Q000031:analogs & derivatives / Q000097:blood; D014808:Vitamin D Deficiency / Q000097:blood / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000209:etiology
chemical_list: D014807:Vitamin D; C104450:25-hydroxyvitamin D
keywords: Occupational medicine; Osteoporosis; Physician’s health; Sun exposure; Vitamin D
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