Shraim, R., Brennan, M.M., van Geffen, J. and Zgaga, L.: 2025,
Journal of Steroid Biochemistry and Molecular Biology 250, 106737, 9 pp.
doi: 10.1016/j.jsbmb.2025.106737
Methods
In total 369,626 individuals from the UK Biobank cohort were included in
this study. Data on 25OHD concentration and relevant demographic and
lifestyle factors such as age, supplement intake, diet, and time spent
outdoors were used in the analyses. Ambient UVB radiation was approximated
for each participant. 25OHD was evaluated as a categorical outcome and we
reintroduced participants with 25OHD values <10 nmol/L (conventionally
reported as missing values) back to the dataset. Adjusted regression models
were used to investigate the determinants of profound (25OHD <10 nmol/L)
and severe (10-25 nmol/L) vitamin D deficiency and to assess disease
associations (with 25-50 nmol/L as the reference category).
Results
1,784 (0.48 %) individuals were profoundly deficient and a further 47,226
(12.78 %) individuals were severely vitamin D deficient. The proportions of
profoundly and severely deficient were highest among Asians, 9 % and 47 %,
respectively. Ambient UVB radiation was the second strongest predictor:
comparing the lowest vs. highest quartile, the risk of profound deficiency
was 17-fold increased and that of severe deficiency 7.5-fold increased. Use
of vitamin D supplements substantially reduced risk of profound (4.4-fold)
and severe (2.5-fold) deficiency, as did fish intake (5- and 1.9-fold,
respectively). Profound deficiency was more strongly associated with chronic
illness, diabetes, and emphysema compared to severe deficiency.
Conclusion
The prevalence of profound and severe vitamin D deficiency among Asian and
Black ethnicities in the UK is high and requires targeted action. Solar
radiation is potent in protecting against profound and severe vitamin D
deficiency. Studies evaluating the relationship between vitamin D status and
other health outcomes may be biased if profoundly deficient participants are
excluded.
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PDF file of the paper (9 pages; 2.2MB)
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