High prevalence of hypovitaminosis D in Medical Students in Gran Canaria. Canary Islands (Spain)

Abstract Background Vitamin D deficiency has been reported in many diseases and in the general population. However, few reports have been published in young, healthy people. Vitamin D deficiency should not be found in medical students of the Canary Islands, because they have all the resources to avoid it. Objective To estimate the prevalence of vitamin D deficiency in a population of medical students of both genders from the University of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria. Methods 103 medical students of both genders from the University of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria were studied. They completed a questionnaire and a physical examination. Vitamin D (25- hydroxycholecalciferol [25-HCC]), parathyroid hormone, and biochemical markers of bone remodeling were measured, and a general biochemical study was performed. Bone mineral density was assessed by dual energy X-ray absorptiometry at the lumbar spine and the proximal femur. Quantitative ultrasound parameters were measured at the calcaneus. Results Only 38.8% of medical students (42.1% of males and 44.9% of females) had 25-HCC values higher than 30 ng/dL as currently recommended. Vitamin D deficiency ( Conclusion Although they enjoy optimal conditions for having high vitamin D levels, almost two thirds of medical students in the Canary Islands have low vitamin D levels.