title: Does the Access to Sun Exposure Ensure Adequate Levels of 25-Hydroxyvitamin D?
abstract: ObjectivesTo assess the prevalence of hypovitaminosis D, altered arterial blood pressure, and serum levels of glucose and lipids in community-dwelling women in the city of Ribeirão Preto, in the southeast of Brazil.MethodsThis was a cross-sectional study of women aged 40-70 years old. Calcium intake and level of sun exposure were assessed by means of a questionnaire. A blood sample was used to determine glucose, lipid profile and 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25[OH]D) concentration.ResultsNinety-one women were enrolled (age = 54.2 ± 7.1 years). The mean serum 25(OH)D concentration was 25.7 ± 8.9 ng/mL. A total of 24 (26.4%) women had 25(OH)D levels < 20 ng/mL. Seventy women (76.9%) had 25(OH)D levels < 30 ng/mL. Seventy-five women (90.4%) had inadequate calcium intake, and 61 women (67%) had appropriate sun exposure, 49 of whom (80.3%) had serum 25(OH)D levels < 30 ng/mL.ConclusionThis study indicates that even in community-dwelling women, living in a city with high sun exposure, serum levels of 25(OH)D > 30 ng/ml are hardly reached. Thus, it is probable that other intrinsic factors besides sun exposure may regulate the levels of vitamin D.
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Faculdade de Medicina de Ribeirão Preto, Universidade de São Paulo (FMRP-USP), Ribeirão Preto, SP, Brazil.
authors.forename: Ênio Luis
authors.initials: ÊL
authors.lastname: Damaso
authors.affiliation: Department of Internal Medicine, Faculdade de Medicina de Ribeirão Preto, Universidade de São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, SP, Brazil.
authors.forename: Francisco José Albuquerque de
authors.initials: FJ
authors.lastname: Paula
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Faculdade de Medicina de Ribeirão Preto, Universidade de São Paulo (FMRP-USP), Ribeirão Preto, SP, Brazil.
authors.forename: Silvio Antônio
authors.initials: SA
authors.lastname: Franceschini
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Faculdade de Medicina de Ribeirão Preto, Universidade de São Paulo (FMRP-USP), Ribeirão Preto, SP, Brazil.
authors.forename: Carolina Sales
authors.initials: CS
authors.lastname: Vieira
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Faculdade de Medicina de Ribeirão Preto, Universidade de São Paulo (FMRP-USP), Ribeirão Preto, SP, Brazil.
authors.forename: Rui Alberto
authors.initials: RA
authors.lastname: Ferriani
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Faculdade de Medicina de Ribeirão Preto, Universidade de São Paulo (FMRP-USP), Ribeirão Preto, SP, Brazil.
authors.forename: Marcos Felipe
authors.initials: MF
authors.lastname: Silva de Sá
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Faculdade de Medicina de Ribeirão Preto, Universidade de São Paulo (FMRP-USP), Ribeirão Preto, SP, Brazil.
authors.forename: Lucia Alves da Silva
authors.initials: LA
authors.lastname: Lara
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001938:Brazil / Q000453:epidemiology; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D015995:Prevalence; D013472:Sunlight; D014807:Vitamin D / Q000031:analogs & derivatives* / Q000097:blood; D014808:Vitamin D Deficiency / Q000453:epidemiology*
chemical_list: D014807:Vitamin D; C104450:25-hydroxyvitamin D