Our CISeAL Investigator Associate, Dr. Betzabé Tello was part of a study that evaluated vitamin D levels in several Ecuadorian cities between 2018 and 2022. The study included 9285 participants whose 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25(OH)D) levels were analyzed in a private laboratory in Quito. A combined interrupted time series design and retrospective cross-sectional approach was used to identify differences in vitamin D concentrations and their relationship to the pre-pandemic and pandemic periods.
The results revealed a mean 25(OH)D of 27.53 ng/mL, with a significant prevalence of vitamin D deficiency, as approximately 68.8% of participants had serum levels below 30 ng/mL. In addition, 0.6% of participants were found to have potentially harmful 25(OH)D levels, with levels greater than 100 ng/mL.
Although a significant monthly increase in 25(OH)D levels was observed during the study period (0.133 units; p=0.006), there was no significant difference in mean 25(OH)D levels between the period before and after March 2020 (p=0.477).
These findings underscore the need for preventive measures to address vitamin D deficiency, as well as public education on the appropriate use of vitamin D supplements and the importance of avoiding self-medication. In addition, they suggest the importance of efficient resource allocation and targeting specific population groups for vitamin D testing.
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