RETROSPECTIVE ANALYSIS OF VITAMIN D DEFICIENCY IN ISLAMABAD

Abstract

Vitamin D deficiency is a prevalent public health issue, particularly in developing countries such as Pakistan. This study aimed to assess the extent of vitamin D deficiency and insufficiency among patients visiting pathological labs in Islamabad, focusing on age and gender variations. The data were collected from Ali Medical Centre in F-8 Markaz, Islamabad, between October 10, 2024, and January 10, 2025, with 467 participants (175 males and 292 females) categorized into five age groups. Vitamin D levels were classified as deficient (<20 ng/mL), insufficient (21–29 ng/mL), sufficient (>30 ng/mL), and toxic (>100 ng/mL). Statistical analysis using Chi-square and ANOVA tests was conducted to examine relationships between age, gender, and vitamin D levels. The results showed a high overall prevalence of vitamin D deficiency and insufficiency at 75.92%, with females showing a slightly higher prevalence (77.16%) than males (74.29%). The highest prevalence was observed in the >60 years age group, at 88.24%. Significant associations were found between both gender (p = 0.022) and age (p = 0.005) with vitamin D levels. These findings highlight the urgent need for targeted public health interventions, particularly focusing on older adults and females, including vitamin D supplementation and educational campaigns, to mitigate the effects of deficiency and improve health outcomes in the region.