Vitamin D levels in patients attending a tertiary care hospital in Mogadishu, Somalia: a retrospective review of 28,125 cases

OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study was to identify the prevalence and risk factors for vitamin D deficiency among patients attending a tertiary hospital in Mogadishu, Somalia.

METHODS: This retrospective study examined the results of serum 25-hydroxy-vitamin D tests of 28,125 patients admitted to Somalia MogadishuTurkey Training and Research Hospital between January 2017 and December 2021. Vitamin D insufficiency is defined as 20–30 ng/mL, deficiency as 10–19 ng/mL, and severe deficiency as <10 ng/mL.

RESULTS: A total of 28,125 patients with a mean age of 44.27±20.4 years were included in the study. The majority of patients were in the age group of 19–40 years. The mean serum level of 25-hydroxy-vitamin D was 28.42±15.34 ng/mL. Of the patients included in the study, 5.8% (1,618/28,125) had vitamin D sufficiency, 6.5% (1,826/28,125) had vitamin D insufficiency, 41.8% (11,761/28,125) had vitamin D deficiency, and 45.9% (12,920/28,125) had severe vitamin D deficiency. The mean serum 25-hydroxy-vitamin D levels were lower in females than in males (p<0.001).

CONCLUSION: The study indicated a high prevalence of vitamin deficiency among patients attending the largest tertiary care hospital, particularly female patients and older people. It is recommended to develop educational and awareness programs, and campaigns to reduce vitamin D deficiency in the population, especially those at high risk.
KEYWORDS: Vitamin D. Vitamin D deficiency. Somalia.