Vitamin D Status in Population of Bukovyna and Subcarpathia Depending on Residence above Sea Level

Abstract

Despite some differences in determining the threshold of vitamin D for the diagnosis of vitamin D deficiency in different countries, the obvious is the fact that in almost all regions of the world, there are registered suboptimal levels of 25(OH)D in the general population. But in the studies, vitamin D status wasn’t analyzed in detail depen-
ding on the residence above sea level. Objective: to determine the level of vitamin D in the blood serum of people, who live in different regions of the Subcarpathia and Bukovyna, depending on the location of the settlement above sea le-vel. Material and methods. In the cross-sectional study, we have examined 353 individuals, aged 18 to 86 years, permanently residing in different parts of the Subcarpathia (Kolomyia, Kosiv, Verhovyna districts) and Bukovyna (Vyzhny-tsia district). Results. Only in 28 cases (7.9 %), the content of 25(OH)D in the blood serum was in the normal range, and in other cases (92.1 %), there was a deficiency and a lack of vitamin D. The severe form of vitamin D deficiency has been detected in 7 (1.9 %) patients. When comparing the performance of 25(OH)D in the areas of inspection, it was found that the level of vitamin D in the blood serum was significantly higher in residents of Verkhovyna and Kosiv districts (located higher than 450 meters above sea level) as compared with residents of Vyzhnytsia and Kolomyia. Conclusion. The average level of vitamin D in the blood serum of the adult population depends on residence and increases with height above sea level.