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Prevalence and Risk Factors of Vitamin D Deficiency

A special issue of Nutrients (ISSN 2072-6643). This special issue belongs to the section "Micronutrients and Human Health".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 15 January 2026 | Viewed by 745

Special Issue Editor


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Guest Editor
1. Orthopaedic Center for Musculoskeletal Research, University of Wuerzburg, Koenig-Ludwig-Haus, Brettreichstr 11, 97074 Wuerzburg, Germany
2. Frankfurt Centre for Bone Health and Endocrinology, 60313 Frankfurt, Germany
3. ATOS Hospital, 65203 Wiesbaden, Germany
Interests: vitamin D; fracture; osteoporosis; osteoarthritis; bone oncology

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Vitamin D deficiency is frequently seen in the general population of many countries around the world. Moreover, its prevalence increases with age; thus, countries with an ageing population are particularly affected by vitamin D deficiency. Today, numerous clinical studies have reported a high prevalence of hypovitaminosis D and vitamin D deficiency in patients with innumerable diseases. For example, several studies have linked low serum vitamin D levels to increased cancer incidence and mortality. Other studies describe the favourable effects of vitamin D on the progression and outcome of, e.g., musculoskeletal disorders. In addition, vitamin D is believed to play a role in decreasing the risk of many chronic illnesses, autoimmune diseases, infectious diseases, and cardiovascular diseases. Likewise, vitamin D supplementation is known to prevent nutritional disorders, such as rickets, and potentially lower the risk of many other diseases.

In this Special Issue on the prevalence and risk factors of vitamin D deficiency, we welcome submissions focusing on epidemiologic studies and clinical trials to examine vitamin D and its supplementation. 

Dr. Konstantin Horas
Guest Editor

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Keywords

  • vitamin D
  • hypovitaminosis D
  • 25 (OH)D
  • prevalence
  • risk factors

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Published Papers (1 paper)

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Research

11 pages, 439 KB  
Article
High Prevalence of Vitamin D Deficiency in Patients Undergoing Total Shoulder or Elbow Arthroplasty
by Miledi Hoxha, Tizian Heinz, Maximilian Rudert, Kilian List, Leonard Achenbach, Gerrit Maier, Manuel Weißenberger and Konstantin Horas
Nutrients 2025, 17(16), 2635; https://doi.org/10.3390/nu17162635 - 14 Aug 2025
Viewed by 565
Abstract
Background: Vitamin D deficiency represents a global health problem of enormous extent. It is estimated that around one billion people worldwide have inadequate vitamin D levels. This phenomenon is directly associated with negative impact on a variety of orthopaedic conditions. Further, there is [...] Read more.
Background: Vitamin D deficiency represents a global health problem of enormous extent. It is estimated that around one billion people worldwide have inadequate vitamin D levels. This phenomenon is directly associated with negative impact on a variety of orthopaedic conditions. Further, there is now robust evidence that perioperative vitamin D levels in patients scheduled for total joint replacement (TJA) affect outcome and the healing process. To date, only few studies focus on vitamin D levels of patients scheduled for total arthroplasty of the upper extremity (shoulder and elbow). For this reason, the objective of this study is to determine the prevalence of vitamin D deficiency in this patient collective. Methods: In a monocentric cohort study, serum levels of 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25OHD) were measured preoperatively in all patients undergoing total shoulder or elbow arthroplasty. Demographic and perioperative data as well as comorbidities were recorded from medical records to assess for potential risk factors for hypovitaminosis D. Multivariate regression analyses were used to identify risk factors for vitamin D insufficiency and deficiency. Results: Collectively, 108 patients with total joint replacement of the upper extremity were included over a period of twelve months. Notably, 28.7% (31/108) of patients reported a regular intake of vitamin D supplements. 62.3% (19/31) of those had sufficient vitamin D levels, while 38.7% (12/31) had insufficient and further 6% (2/31) deficient vitamin D levels (<20 ng/mL). Remarkably, 87% of patients that did not report a regular vitamin D intake (n = 77) showed low serum vitamin D levels. In particular, 63.6% (49/77) were vitamin D deficient, 23.4% (18/77) vitamin D insufficient and only 13% of patients had vitamin D serum levels above or equal to 30 ng/mL that are considered sufficient (mean serum 25(OH)D = 36.4 ng/mL for vitamin D substitution vs. 18.4 ng/mL for no substitution; p < 0.0001). Moreover, vitamin D levels varied between seasons, with the lowest levels recorded in spring (OR = 4.32, p = 0.044) and the highest levels in summer (p = 0.005 vs. spring). Conclusion: Patients undergoing total shoulder or elbow arthroplasty have an increased risk profile for hypovitaminosis D (vitamin D supplementation had 94% lower odds of being deficient; OR = 0.06, p = 0.001). Seasonal circumstances at the point of arthroplasty seem to be a key risk factor for low vitamin D levels. For this reason, it would be advisable to consider preoperative serum vitamin D level measurement as an integral part of the regularly performed preoperative care. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Prevalence and Risk Factors of Vitamin D Deficiency)
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