Evaluation of Serum Vitamin D Levels According To Season, Age, and Gender in Mardin Province and Its Surroundings

Abstract

Vitamin D is a steroid in character and fat-soluble vitamin. It is produced primarily from cholesterol in the skin and is also taken up in a small amount in the diet. 25(OH)D3 levels are used as an indirect measure of vitamin D levels. Our aim was to investigate the variation in serum 25(OH)D3 levels of patients admitted to the hospital in and around Mardin based on gender, season, and age. 25(OH)D3 concentrations were evaluated at Mardin Training and Research Hospital between 01.01.2017 and 31.12.2019. Our study established subgroups according to gender, season, age, and 25(OH)D3 status. 25(OH)D3 concentration was measured using the chemiluminescence method. A significant decrease was observed in the 25(OH)D3 levels of female (13.62±11.53 ng/ml) patients compared to male patients (12.14±9.38 ng/ml). A significant increase was detected in the summer and autumn seasons compared to winter and spring (p<0.001). There was no significant difference between age and serum 25(OH)D3 concentration (p>0.05). 25(OH)D3 status was shown to be 60.5% in the severe deficiency group. As a result, it has been shown that the vitamin D profile in Mardin and its surroundings is low in all seasons and in all age groups. For this reason, consuming food sources rich in vitamin D and taking supplements indicate that the importance of sunlight in vitamin D metabolism should be emphasized.