Surprising prevalence of unrecognized vitamin D3 deficiency in fall and winter months in neuromuscular clinics in Central Pennsylvania: a pilot study.

OBJECTIVES

The Harvard biomarker study published in October 2013 in Neurology journal showed a deficiency of vitamin D in 17.6% patients with Parkinson disease compared with 9.3% controls (adults without neurological symptoms). Similar determination among neuromuscular disease patients is lacking.

METHODS

A retrospective analysis of vitamin D levels was performed on 73 patients seen between September and March in the Neuromuscular Central Pennsylvania tertiary referral clinic. Patient selection was random. Patients with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis were excluded from this study.

RESULTS

The prevalence of vitamin D deficiency was significantly above the Harvard Biomarker control values considering similar climatic and ethnic factors.

CONCLUSIONS

Although 25-hydroxy-D3, produced in liver and skin, can be low in fall and winter, significant lower levels were seen (P > 000.1) among the patients seen randomly in our neuromuscular clinic compared with recently published controls. Similar studies from different geographical zones of the Unite States considering seasonal influences are worth studying. Whether checking vitamin D3 blood level should become a standard practice is the bigger issue.