PREVALENCE OF VITAMIN D INADEQUACY AMONG ORTHOPEDIC SURGEONS

Background: Indoor workers including healthcare professionals are at high risk to develop vitamin D insufficiency and deficiency, due to lifestyle and limited sunlight exposure. Additionally, common health problems in aging men are vitamin D inadequacy, hypogonadism and prostate cancer. Objective: The study aimed to determine the prevalence of vitamin D inadequacy, testosterone and prostate specific antigen (PSA) among orthopedic surgeons with different ages and regions of residence. Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted at the annual meeting of the Royal College of Orthopedic Surgeons of Thailand (RCOST) in October 2017. All participants were orthopedic surgeons working in different regions in Thailand. They received blood examination for vitamin D (25-hydroxyvitamin D) levels, total testosterone and total PSA serum levels. Results: A total of 257 orthopedic surgeons participated in the study. The prevalence of vitamin D inadequacy was 71.98%. Old age group (≥60 years old) had significantly higher total vitamin D than young age group (<60 years old) (p=0.014). Participants from eastern region had significantly higher total vitamin D than Bangkok and southern regions (p=0.015). Interestingly, the prevalence of low testosterone levels was 13% which occurred significantly in the age group ≥40 year (p=0.004). Additionally, the prevalence of high PSA levels was 4.67%. Even though the old age group had significantly higher PSA than the young age group (p< 0.001), no correlation was found between region and total PSA level. Conclusion: The prevalence of vitamin D inadequacy among Thai orthopedic surgeons was surprisingly high. This data provide important information to promote greater self-awareness to reduce the possible consequences associated with vitamin D inadequacy. Vitamin D supplementation including prevention strategies need to be promoted among healthcare professionals.