Prevalence and Progression of Vitamin D Deficiency in Greater Beirut and Mount Lebanon From 2013 to 2022: An Analysis of 19,452 Adults

TL;DR

This study found that vitamin D deficiency decreased over 10 years in Lebanon, with younger people and those in polluted areas being more at risk.

Contribution

The study provides a decade-long analysis of vitamin D deficiency trends in Lebanon, highlighting demographic and geographic risk factors.

Findings

31% of participants were vitamin D deficient, with younger individuals showing higher deficiency rates.

Living in Greater Beirut and polluted areas increased the risk of vitamin D deficiency.

Vitamin D deficiency decreased significantly in 2022 compared to previous years, correlating with increased testing.

Abstract

This study aimed to describe the prevalence and progression of vitamin D (VitD) deficiency in a large sample of Lebanese adults.

A retrospective analysis of 19,452 medical records of Lebanese adults primarily residing in Greater Beirut and Mount Lebanon was included. Serum VitD levels were measured using a chemiluminescent assay.

Overall, 31% of our participants were deficient (< 20 ng/mL), 28% were insufficient (20–30 ng/mL), and 41% were sufficient (> 30 ng/mL) for VitD. The overall average VitD levels were 26 ± 12 ng/mL (min: 3 ng/mL, max: 220 ng/mL). While 40% of participants below 35 years old presented with VitD level deficiency, this level decreased significantly by 13% and 11% in age groups 55–65 and above 65 years old, respectively (p < 0.01). Females had a 35% lower risk of VitD deficiency than males (OR = 0.65, p < 0.01). Second, living in the greater Beirut region increased the risk of developing VitD deficiency by 41% (OR = 1.408, p < 0.01). Finally, living in a region with moderate (OR = 1.33, p < 0.11) to high pollution (OR = 1.45, p < 0.01) increased the risk by 33% and 45%, respectively. The number of individuals referred for testing VitD level in our tertiary healthcare center increased four times in the past 10 years, from 1120 in 2013 to 4633 in 2022. This observation is correlated with higher VitD levels and, thus, a significant decrease in the trend of VitD deficiency in 2022 compared to the previous years (p < 0.001).

The prevalence of VitD deficiency has decreased over the past 10 years in Greater Beirut and Mount Lebanon.

Overall, 31% of our participants were deficient, 28% were insufficient, and 41% were sufficient. While 40% of participants below 35 years old presented with VitD deficiency, this level decreased significantly by 13% in older ages (more than 55 years old, p < 0.001). Females had a 35% lower risk of VitD deficiency than males (OR = 0.654, p < 0.001). Second, living in the greater Beirut region increased the risk of developing VitD deficiency by 41% (OR = 1.408, p < 0.001). The number of individuals referred for testing VitD level in our tertiary healthcare center increased four times in the past ten years, from 1120 in 2013 to 4633 in 2022. This observation is correlated with higher VitD levels and, thus, a significant decrease in the trend of VitD deficiency in 2022 compared to the previous years (24%, p < 0.001).

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