Hypovitaminosis D and Its Associated Factors in North Algerian Postmenopausal Women: Results of a Cross-Sectional Study

Purpose. as the vitamin d status of algerian postmenopausal women was poorly described,this cross-sectional study investigated the prevalence of low vitamin d status in a sample population. secondarily,predictive factors of this hypovitaminosis d were explored. methods. all the 336 selected women ≥ 45 years from douera were interviewed to get anthropometric and lifestyle data,reproductive and medical history,medications,and calcium/vitamin d intakes. a blood sample was collected to measure 25-hydroxyvitamin d (25(oh)d) concentrations. results. approximately 86% of subjects had low vitamin d status (<20 ng/ml). mean 25(oh)d level was 14.4 ± 5.3 ng/ml with a clear seasonal dynamic and a significant negative correlation with pth levels (r = -0.15,p=0.006). a multiple regression analysis using the 25(oh)d cutoff value of 17 ng/ml instead of the generally admitted level of 20 ng/ml was performed to increase statistical power. other seasons than summer (or 4.159 and 95% ci 2.456-7.043),obesity (≥30 kg/m2,or 1.826,95% ci 1.081-3.083),and veiling (or 3.526,95% ci 1.090-11.400) were significantly associated with 25(oh)d concentrations <17 ng/ml. conclusions. in north algeria,the abundant sunlight appears insufficient to fully offset hypovitaminosis d risk factors in postmenopausal women,especially obesity and veiling. it suggests the major need to increase vitamin d supplementation in this subpopulation. © 2017 s. oussedik-lehtihet et al.