Prevalence of vitamin D insufficiency among community dwelling elderly in Dakahlia as a representative of rural areas in Egypt.

Background: Vitamin D has a basic role in bone growth and metabolism and has been noticed for its important role in many diseases.

Objectives: To detect the prevalence of vitamin D insufficiency among the elderly in Dakahlia.

Methodology: A cross-sectional study was conducted on 176 elderly patients (60 years and older) recruited from Meet Abbad-Nabaroh-Dakahlia, Egypt. The level of 25 hydroxy vitamin D (25OHD) was measured. A normal level of vitamin D is defined as a 25OHD concentration ≥30 ng/mL. Vitamin D insufficiency is defined as a 25OHD concentration of 20-29 ng/mL. Vitamin D deficiency is defined as a 25OHD level <20 ng/mL.

Results: There were no cases of vitamin D deficiency among the studied population. The prevalence of vitamin D insufficiency (25OHD level of 20-29 ng/mL) among the elderly in Dakahlia was 26 %. Prevalence of vitamin D insufficiency was (37.9 %) in males and (15.3 %) in females.

Conclusion: There was a low prevalence of vitamin D insufficiency in an elderly rural population and a higher prevalence of vitamin D insufficiency among males than females.