Hypovitaminosis D in the Middle East and North Africa: Prevalence, risk factors and impact on outcomes.

ABSTRACT:

Background

The Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region registers some of the highest rates of hypovitaminosis D worldwide.  

Aim

We systematically reviewed the prevalence of hypovitaminosis D, rickets and osteomalacia, their predictors and impact on major outcomes, in the region.

Methods

Medline, Pubmed and Embase search engines, entering keywords and concepts, combined with individual countries of interest, were used. Search was limited years 2000-2012; and review articles were used for the period preceding year 2000.

Results

Rickets and osteomalacia still occur in this sunny region. Hypovitaminosis D prevails, with rates varying 30-90%, considering a desirable serum 25 hydroxy-vitamin D [25(OH)D] of 20 ng/ml. Advancing age, female gender, multi-parity, clo

SUBMITTER: Bassil D 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3772916 | biostudies-literature | 2013 Apr

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature