Prevalence of Decreased Vitamin D Levels is High among Veterans with Diabetes and/or CKD

Objective. Vitamin D deficiency is associated with a variety of skeletal and extraskeletal problems. The aim of this study was to evaluate the prevalence of vitamin D deficiency among veterans in sunny Louisiana. Methods. Using the VA computerized patient record system, we searched for all 25 (OH) Vitamin D and 1, 25 (OH) vitamin D levels that were measured between 2007 and 2009. The information collected for each patient included age, body mass index, creatinine, history of diabetes and hypertension, and levels of vitamin D and PTH. We determined the number of individuals who were vitamin D insufficient and deficient. Results. Among 2990 studies evaluated, the mean concentration of 25 (OH) D was 22.5 ± 0.2 ng/mL, and that of 1, 25 (OH) vitamin D was 29.2 ± 0.4 ng/mL. Among them, only 695 subjects (23%) had normal values, while 889 (30%) had insufficiency, and 1405 (47%) had deficiency. Subjects with diabetes (1041) had significantly (P < 0.0001) lower levels (21 and 25 ng/mL) of both 25 (OH) and 1,25 (OH) vitamin D compared to subjects without diabetes (23 and 32 ng/mL). Similarly, subjects with chronic kidney disease (1128) had much lower vitamin D levels than subjects without CKD. Among subjects with diabetes, those with chronic kidney disease (512) had much lower levels of both 25 (OH) and 1,25 (OH) vitamin D than with those with normal creatinine levels. Conclusions. We conclude that vitamin D insufficiency and deficiency is highly prevalent in veterans, more so among subjects with diabetes and/or CKD.