Introduction
Israel is known to be a sunny country. Still, vitamin D (VD) deficiency and insufficiency are common findings in certain population due to their limited exposure to sunlight. The medical residency is known for its long indoor working hours, during weekdays and weekends, thus, theoretically, limiting the possibility for sun exposure.
Aim
To evaluate VD status in medical residents from different medical expertise. We tested the null hypothesis that VD would be below the normal range in residents, and would be lower in Surgical residents compared to Internal-Medicine and Pediatrics residents.
Material and methods
Forty-Six medical residents (28 female / 18 male, average ages 33.9±2.8) from 4 residency programs were recruited. Average time in residency 2.5±1 years (range 6m-5 years). Demographic data, personal lifestyle and physical activity details, anthropometric data, and sun exposure duration were recorded. Blood samples for 25(OH)D3 levels were analyzed by a radioimmunoassay.
Result
Mean serum VD concentration in all resident groups was 29.76±5.79 ng/ ml (range 15-40 ng/ml; normal range 20-50 ng/ml). Only 2 resident were vitamin D insufficient (2=9.2%, P<0.04, R2=8.9%, P<0.04, respectively), There was no statistically significant correlation between vitamin D level and nutritional data, smoking or duration of physical activity.
Conclusion
We found that contrary to our hypothesis, residents in Tel Aviv, do not suffer from VD deficiency. Moreover, there were no differences in VD levels between different medical residencies. We speculate that level of VD is related more to life style and family structure, and that medical residency itself is not a risk factor for vitamin D deficiency.
