Familial Aggregation in vitamin D deficiency

Abstract

The aim of this study was to investigate the familial aggregation of vitamin D deficiency disorder in the northwest region of Iran.Materials and Methods: A total number of 930 individuals from general population were invited/registered to the Family Medicine Clinic of Asadabadi Hospital, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Iran. A blood sample was obtained from subjects to determine the level of vitamin D. This blood tests were carried out by Eliza method using Biorex and Farse kits in Asadabadi Hospital Laboratory. We calculated Odds Ratio (OR) with 95% Confidence Intervals (95% CI) to estimate the aggregation of vitamin D deficiency among relatives.Results: We ascertained 580 cases with vitamin D deficiency disorder representing an overall prevalence rate of 62.4 percent (95% CI: 59–65 percent) in the northwest of the region. An aggregation of the vitamin D deficiency was found among brothers (OR=1.55, 95% CI: 0.72–3.32), sisters (OR=1.24, 95% CI: 0.80–1.93) and spouses (OR=1.18, 95% CI: 0.76–1.82) of cases. Other relatives (including parents, grandparents, grandchildren, aunts, nieces and nephews) showed no aggregation of deficiency in the family in this study.