Prevalence of vitamin D deficiency among patients attending orthopedic clinic in Taif, Saudi Arabia: A single center study

Objective: To assess the prevalence of vitamin D deficiency among patients attending orthopedic clinics in King Abdul-Aziz specialist hospital in Taif city, Saudi Arabia Design: Retrospective study Setting: King Abdul-Aziz specialist hospital, Taif city, Saudi Arabia Subjects: During the period from 18 July to 12 September 2017, data of the patients who were treated between June 2016 and June 2017 (N=1475) was collected to be included in the study. Vitamin D, calcium, phosphorus, parathyroid hormone and alkaline phosphatase levels of the patients were collected from the laboratory system, as well as radiological findings from the radiology system. Socio-demographic data (age, gender, and nationality) were also collected. Intervention: Patients were classified according to vitamin D level as deficient, insufficient, normal and high. Main outcome measure: Vitamin D level and its correlation to different variables was measured using the SPSS program version 21. Results: Among 1475 patients, 78% were females and 22% were males. Out of all patients, 53.1% had vitamin D deficiency, 27.8% had insufficiency, 15.4% had a normal level and 3.7% had a high level. A higher prevalence of deficiency was found among males (60.3%) than female patients (51%; P=.009). All age groups showed a high prevalence of deficiency and the highest was observed among <= 19 years age group (67.9%; P=.028). Conclusion: High prevalence of vitamin D deficiency is significant among all orthopedic patients. It is most common among male and adolescent patients.