International Union for Circumpolar Health Ministry of Public Health and Social Development of RF Russian Academy of Medical Sciences Siberian Branch of Russian Academy of Medical Sciences Siberian Branch of Russian Academy of Sciences Medical Polar Fund “Science” The Northern Forum

Abstracts

Seminar Infection Diseases in Arctic

Studies have shown that changes of dietary habits in the Greenlandic population from a traditional to a westernized fare result in reduced vitamin D status. Vitamin D has a modulatory effect on the macrophage phagocytic function and vitamin D deficiency is associated with increased risk of tuberculosis (TB). The incidence of TB has increased during the last 10-15 years to 150-175 per 100.000/year, among the highest in the world. The aim of this study was to examine if vitamin D deficiency was in part responsible for the high TB incidence. During the period March 2004 to September 2005 all TB patients who accepted to participate as well as age and sex matched control persons living in the same area of Greenland had determined the concentration of 25(OH)D3 in plasma. Ninety-two patients and seventy-three controls were studied. The study is part of a larger survey planned to continue to March 2007. The plasma concentration of 25(OH)D3 was 30-370 nmol/l, median 105 nmol/l in patients and 35-260 nmol/l, median 110 nmol/l in control persons (NS). Mild vitamin D deficiency reflected by a vitamin D level of 30-50 nmol/l was statistically more frequent in patients (13/92 =14.1%) than in control persons (2/73 = 2.7%) (p < 0.02). Conclusion: Mild vitamin D deficiency was more frequent in TB patients than in age and sex matched control persons. The frequency was, however, low and severe vitamin D deficiency was not detected. The high incidence of TB in Greenland does not seem to be related to lack of vitamin D.

Note. Abstracts are published in author's edition

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Last update: 06-Jul-2012 (11:52:05)