Aboriginal Australians are more likely to have vitamin D insufficency

Dr Simon Vanlint, Lecturer in the Discipline of General Practice at the University of Adelaide, and co-authors, investigated the vitamin D status of a population of Aboriginal Australians in South Australia, and examined the relationship between serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25-OHD) levels and biochemical variables of calcium and bone mineral homeostasis, as well as other factors that may influence vitamin D synthesis, storage and metabolism.

Vitamin D is hydroxylated to form 25-OHD, the biomarker of vitamin D status.

A single-visit, observational study of 58 adults from two Indigenous community-controlled health services in Adelaide and Yalata, South Australia, was conducted between May 2008 and December 2009.

Vitamin D insufficiency was found to be highly prevalent among the participants. The serum 25-OHD levels of the participants also showed seasonal variations, peaking in summer (84.2 nmol/L) but dropping below 60 nmol/L in other seasons, indicating prolonged periods of vitamin D insufficiency. Target serum 25-OHD levels above 60 nmol/L have been recommended for prevention of fractures and falls.

Overall, the average serum 25-OHD level of the participants (56.8 nmol/L) was significantly lower than that reported for a control group of 36 Adelaide residents (76.9 nmol/L).

Dr Vanlint said that darker skin pigmentation in Aboriginal Australians probably contributed to their lower mean 25-OHD level compared with that of non-Indigenous Australians.

The Medical Journal of Australia is a publication of the Australian Medical Association.

The statements or opinions that are expressed in the MJA reflect the views of the authors and do not represent the official policy of the AMA unless that is so stated.

CONTACT:         Dr Simon Vanlint                                  0431 913 758

                        Ms Candace Gibson                             08 8303 6341

                        (Media Officer, Uni Adelaide)