Document Type : Original Article
Authors
1
Consultant ENT Surgeon, University of Ilorin Teaching Hospital, Ilorin, Nigeria
2
Consultant ENT Surgeon, National Ear Care Centre (NECC), Kaduna, Kaduna State, North-West, Nigeria
3
Consultant Chemical Pathologist, Department of Chemical Pathology, University of Ilorin Teaching Hospital, Ilorin, North-Central Nigeria
4
Consultant ENT Surgeon, National Ear Care Centre (NECC) Kaduna, Kaduna, North-West Nigeria.
5
Consultant ENT Surgeon, Department of ENT, University of Ilorin Teaching Hospital, Ilorin, North-Central Nigeria
6
Consultant ENT Surgeon, Department of ENT, University of Ilorin Teaching Hospital, Ilorin, North-Central Nigeria.
7
Consultant ENT Surgeon, Department of ENT Surgery, ENT unit, Federal Teaching Hospital (FTH), Gombe, North East Nigeria.
8
Senior Resident ENT, Department of ENT, University of Ilorin Teaching Hospital, Ilorin, North-Central Nigeria.
9
Consultant Chemical Pathologist, Department of Chemical Pathology, Federal Teaching Hospital, Gombe, Gombe State.
10
Consultant ENT Surgeon, Department of ENT, Federal Medical Centre Abeokuta, Abeokuta, Ogun State South-Western Nigeria.
11
Consultant Chemical Pathologist, Department of Pathology, Federal Medical Centre Abeokuta, Abeokuta, Ogun State South-Western Nigeria.
12
Consultant ENT Surgeon, Department of ENT Surgery, University of Uyo Teaching Hospital, Uyo, Akwa-Ibon State.
13
Consultant ENT Surgeon, Department of ENT Surgery, FMC Owerri, Imo State.
Abstract
Objective: Vitamin D are fat-soluble hormones with various biological effects in the body. Exposure to Sunlight remains the primary determinant of vitamin D status in humans. Despite abundant sunshine in northern Nigeria, high prevalence of vitamin D deficiency has been reported. Hence, this study aimed to determine the prevalence of vitamin D deficiency among patients attending ENT clinics in Nigeria.
Patients and Methods: A multi-centre, case-control study carried out among ENT patients attending selected tertiary hospitals in northern Nigeria and healthy controls. The study locations and participants were selected using a multi-stage sampling technique. Consecutive consenting patients attending ENT clinics responded to interviewer-administered questionnaires. Serum vitamin D was determined using Calbiotech 25(OH) vitamin D ELISA kit.
Results: Age range of the 198 participants was 2-70 years. Median ages was 31.0 and 31.5 years for subjects and controls respectively. Modal age group was 31-40 years. There were 62.1% female participants with Male to Female ratio of 1:1.6. Prevalence of Hypovitaminosis D was higher among subjects than controls. (p=0.034) More females had deficient (87.5%) and insufficient (73.1%) levels of vitamin D compared with their male counterparts (12.5%) and (26.9%) respectively. (p= 0.009) Subjects with dark skin colour had lower mean vitamin D level (34.8 versus 39.8nmol/L). (p=0.006).
Conclusion: Patients attending general Otorhinolaryngology clinics in northern Nigeria had low vitamin D levels and its supplementation may go a long way in optimizing their primary condition. Female gender and dark skin colour were important factors that contribute to low vitamin D level. Vitamin D supplements may be useful as prophylactics and adjunct treatment for common otorhinolaryngological conditions.
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