Abstract: Background: Vitamin D deficiency is a global health problem. Prolong deficiency of Vitamin D leads to alteration in calcium metabolism thereby leading to rickets in children and osteomalacia in adults. Deficiency of vitamin D is also an important cause of nonspecific back pain and other metabolic disturbances. The prevalence of hypovitaminosis is high in western countries and in this study we aim to find out the prevalence in general population.
Methodology: Patients presenting to orthopaedics out patient with low back pain, generalised body pain for more than 3 months were included in the study. Total of 139 patients were included in the study. Mean age of the patients was 53.68 years. Details such as age, sex, diet, physical activity, body mass index and smoking status were also noted.
Results: The mean vitamin D level of the overall study population was 37.8 ng/ml ranging from 12 ng/ml to 49.2 ng/ml. The mean vitamin D levels for males was 38.6ng/ml ranging from 21 ng/ml to 49.2ng/ml. The mean vitamin D level for females was 26.2ng/ml ranging from 12ng/ml to 47.8 ng/ml. 79.33% of the study population had low vitamin D. Significant difference between males and females was seen. The deficiency of vitamin D was more severe and more common in the older age group.
Conclusion: The prevalence of vitamin D deficiency is more common than it seems. There is a need for better education of general population regarding this ongoing epidemic and ways to tackle the deficiency of this sunshine vitamin.
