Vitamin D levels among anesthesiologists and other physicians

Abstract

Background: Sun exposure is the main source of 25-hydroxy-Vitamin D. Since anesthesiologists work inside operating rooms, they are identified as a defficiency risk group. As medical activity in general occurs indoors, added to the work excess and sedentary lifestyle, physicians in general have low sun exposure. Aim: To investigate the determinants of Vitamin D levels in physicians. Material and Methods: Anesthesiologists and physicians not working in operating rooms were included. A survey that comprised working hours, diet, skin color, sunscreen use and outdoor activities was also applied. Measurements of Vitamin D and parathormone levels in blood were performed. Results: We analyzed samples from 81 volunteers. Median Vitamin D values of the whole sample were in the range of insufficiency (25.3 [interquartile range 12.4] ng/ml). Multiple linear regression analysis detected no differences between anesthesiologists and non-anesthesiologists. A higher body mass index was a risk factor for Vitamin D defficiency, (p = 0.025). The only protective factor was the intake of a Vitamin D supplement (p < 0.01). Conclusions: Anesthesiologists and other specialists were both at risk for Vitamin D defficiency. Obesity was a risk factor and the use of a Vitamin D supplement was the only protective factor.