Vitamin D status in Bosnia and Herzegovina: the cross-sectional epidemiological analysis

Rationale: Vitamin D deficiency/insufficiency/ is a worldwide epidemic in general population. The investigation of vitamin D concentrations in Bosnia and Herzegovina has never been conducted. Main results: A total of 82% from 2483 examined patients have deficient/insufficient/ Vitamin D level. Significance: These results encourage future studies to be focused on more specific details. The goal of this paper was to evaluate the vitamin D concentrations in different cohort patients. Vitamin D deficiency is a global health problem. In Europe, hypovitaminosis D is even more prevalent. Vitamin D deficiency plays a significant role in a dozens of numerous disorders. The cross-sectional epidemiological analysis was performed, and data were statistically analyzed. A total of 2483 screened individuals were examined for the serum 25(OH)D concentrations. The cutoff points that we used was < 20 ng/mL. Among 2483 examined patients for vitamin D level, females were in majority with 76% and males with 24% in total. Deficient vitamin D level was found in 60.6% of patients, and insufficient vitamin D level was detected in 21.4%. The highest rate of severe deficiency was found among elderly people (32.9%). In total, the decreased level of vitamin D concentration in Bosnia and Herzegovina is 82%. Vitamin D serum concentrations in Bosnia and Herzegovina are decreased in a majority of study population, and the results are within the average levels compared to other countries, particularly to findings in Central Europe. This analysis was based on patients, who have some health issues which may affect mobility, ability to go outside, food intake etc., so the level of 25(OH)D seen in this paper may be an underestimate, and further research is required in the general and healthy population.