Serum vitamin D status in adults from Peshawar, Pakistan: local burden and public health implications from a hospital-based study

Objective: To evaluate serum vitamin D levels among adults attending the outpatient clinic at Hayatabad Medical Complex, Peshawar, and to assess the prevalence of deficiency and insufficiency. Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted from January to June 2024 at Hayatabad Medical Complex, Peshawar, Pakistan. Using convenience sampling, 101 adults aged 18–70 years attending routine health checks were enrolled. Individuals with chronic kidney or liver disease, malabsorption syndromes, pregnancy/lactation, or current use of vitamin D supplements were excluded. Demographic data and daily sun exposure were recorded through structured questionnaires. Serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D [25(OH)D] levels were measured using high-performance liquid chromatography. Deficiency was defined as <20 ηg/mL, insufficiency as 20–29 ηg/mL, and sufficiency as ≥30 ηg/mL. Results: Of the 101 participants (49 males, 52 females; mean age 44.9±16.6 years), the mean serum vitamin D level was 30.5±19.4 ηg/mL (range: 4.46–102.12). Vitamin D deficiency was found in 32 (31.7%) participants, insufficiency in 29 (28.7%), and sufficiency in 40 (39.6%). No significant gender-based differences were observed in vitamin D levels or status (p>0.05). A weak positive correlation with sun exposure did not reach statistical significance (p=0.058). Conclusion: Vitamin D deficiency and insufficiency affected 60% of adults in this hospital-based study from Peshawar-Pakistan, indicating a substantial local burden. These findings have important public health implications and call for targeted public health strategies, including dietary fortification, supplementation, and awareness programs, to reduce the prevalence of hypovitaminosis D.