Abstract
Objective
To determine the magnitude of vitamin D deficiency in adults in the outpatient setting.
Methods
This observational study was conducted in the Department of Medicine, Shifa International Hospital, Islamabad, Pakistan from 2007 to 2009. A total of 168 adult patients who were seen in outpatient clinic had Vitamins D levels measured. Patients with underlying illnesses such as chronic renal failure, known osteomalacia and rickets were excluded from the study.
Vitamin D deficiency was defined as serum 25-OH Vitamin D levels less than 20ng/ml. Those with Vitamin D levels in the range of 21-29 were categorized as having with Vitamin D insufficiency and levels 30 ng/ml or more were determined to have adequate levels. Vitamin D intoxication was defined as levels greater than 150 ng/ml.
Results
The mean age was 49.4±13.4 years, with female to male ratio of 4:1. Of 168 patients, 89.3% had low Vitamin D levels: 73.2% had vitamin D deficiency and 16.1% were found to have Vitamin D insufficiency. Only 10.7% had adequate levels. Mean serum 25-OH Vitamin D levels were 17.85 ng/dl (range 3.00-81.65). 73.2 % of these patients were asymptomatic.
Conclusion
Marked subclinical vitamin D deficiency was seen in our patients. Serum 25-OH Vitamin D level is the most reliable test to evaluate Vitamin D deficiency. (Rawal Med J 2012;37:2-5).

Key words: Vitamin D, osteomalacia, rickets, hypovitaminosis D.