SHBC1675

K.W.KEE¹, E.J.D.SEAH¹

NHG Polyclinics¹

Vitamin D promotes calcium absorption, protect bones and maintain immune function. Both local and international literature showed high prevalence of Vitamin D deficiency and insufficiency among elderly who are admitted to hospitals. This study aims to investigate the prevalence of Vitamin D deficiency and insufficiency among community dwelling adults receiving care in the primary care setting in Singapore.

In this cross-sectional study, 11286 patients (2320 male and 8966 female, mean age of 69) who visited the 5 primary care polyclinics had 25-Hydroxy-Vitamin D (25OHD) level checks performed between 2019 and 2020. Vitamin D deficiency is defined as <20 ng/mL while insufficiency is defined as 20-29ng/mL.

Results showed that 44.9% of patients had insufficiency or deficiency of 25OHD. 13.3% had deficiency of which 1.2% of the patients had <10ng/mL 25OHD. 5.7% had 25OHD exceeding 50 ng/mL or more. The mean level of 25OHD was significantly lower among the female (mean 31+/-11) compared to the male (34+/-12) patients by independent sample t-test. There were no significant difference in the mean  25OHD levels between those with or without supplementation of oral Vitamin D. A total of 458 patients had 25OHD >50ng/mL and was prescribed with Vitamin D supplementation on the year of evaluation.

This study confirmed the high prevalence of vitamin D deficiency and insufficiency among the community dwelling adult population and with a higher prevalence among female patients.