ABSTRACT

Aim:

The aim of this study is to determine the effect of covered dressing style on serum vitamin D levels.

Material and Methods:

The first group consists of 32 women dressing covered style except hands and face during summer and winter seasons and the second group consists of 22 women dressing head and extremities-distal extremities uncovered style during summer. Participants were living in Istanbul. Blood samples were taken between November and March. Milk, cheese, yoghurt, fish and egg consumptions, direct sun light exposures have been questioned. Serum levels of 25(OH)D vitamin, alkaline phosphatase, calcium, phosphorus have been measured.

Results:

Mean age was 35.1±5.5 in the first group and 37.1±7.5 in the second group. Mean 25(OH)D vitamin level was 4.8 nmol\L in the first group and 16.8 nmol\L in the second group. 25 hydroxyvitamin D levels were found under normal (20-120mmol/L) in both groups and statistical difference between them was meaningful (p=0.022). There was statistically significant relation between duration of sun exposure and vitamin D levels (p=0.002).

Conclusion:

Low 25(OH)D vitamin levels in both groups were due to very low syntesis during November-March period. Although there was no difference between two groups in terms of clothing manner during winter season, we have been thought that lower 25(OH)D vitamin levels in first group were due to anti-sunlight effect of clothes dressed up by group members during previous summer period. (Turkish Journal of Osteoporosis 2011;17:6-9)