Prevalence of Vitamin D Deficiency Among Healthy Young Adults at Kuwait University.

OBJECTIVE

This study aims to investigate the prevalence of vitamin D deficiency among healthy young medical and dental students at Kuwait University.

METHODS

This cross-sectional study included a total of 201 medical and dental students (male = 99; female = 102) at Kuwait University. Blood samples were collected to assess 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25(OH)D) by electrochemiluminescence (ECL) immunoassay, and a questionnaire was distributed to address related qualitative data. P-values less than 0.05 were considered significant.

RESULTS

Vitamin D deficiency (<50 nmol/L) was reported in 171 (85.1%) of the participants. A total of 17 (8.5%) participants exhibited insufficient vitamin D (50.1-75 nmol/L), and only 13 (6.5%) students had optimal vitamin D (>75 nmol/L). According to gender, vitamin D deficiency was more common in male students (89, 89.9%) compared to females (82, 80.4%). Vitamin D levels for students in the clinical academic years (sixth and fifth years) were significantly higher (P < 0.001) compared to the non-clinical years (fourth, third, and second years).

CONCLUSION

The prevalence of vitamin D deficiency was very high among medical and dental students of Kuwait University. The students with high academic years suffered more from vitamin D deficiency.