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Public health
Research
Vitamin D status in recently arrived immigrants from Africa and Asia: a cross-sectional study from Norway of children, adolescents and adults
  1. Åse R Eggemoen1,2,
  2. Kirsten V Knutsen1,
  3. Ingvild Dalen1,
  4. Anne K Jenum1,3
  1. 1Department of General Practice and Community Medicine, Institute of Health and Society, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway
  2. 2Centre of Migrant Health, Health Agency, Oslo Municipality, Norway
  3. 3Oslo and Akershus College of Applied Sciences, Oslo, Norway
  1. Correspondence to Åse R Eggemoen; a.r.eggemoen{at}medisin.uio.no

Abstract

Objectives To estimate the prevalence of vitamin D deficiency (25(OH)D) <50 nmol/L among recently arrived immigrants from Africa and Asia in Oslo, and to explore 25(OH)D levels according to origin, gender and age.

Design A cross-sectional study.

Setting Primary healthcare unit in Oslo, Norway, offering family immigrants, asylum seekers, United Nations (UN) refugees or individuals granted asylum a free medical examination on arrival.

Participants All individuals from African and Asian countries (n=591) referred to the Centre of Migrant Health, Health Agency, Oslo, Norway in 2010, estimated to cover 60% of the targeted population.

Results 25(OH)D <50 nmol/L was very prevalent in immigrants from the Middle East (81% (95% CI 75.4% to 86.6%)), South Sahara Africa (73% (CI 67.5% to 78.5%)) and South Asia (75% (CI 64.0% to 86.0%)), in contrast to East Asians (24% (CI 12.6% to 35.4%)), p<0.001 for differences. The prevalence of 25(OH)D<25 nmol/L was lower but followed the same pattern (Middle East: 38% (CI 31.1% to 45.0%), South Sahara Africa: 24% (CI 18.7% to 29.3%) and South Asia: 35% (CI 22.9% to 47.1%), although it was not observed in East Asians (p<0.001 for differences)). The ethnic differences persisted after adjusting for the duration of residence, seasonality and residence status in multiple linear regression analyses. Female adolescents from South Asia, the Middle East and South Sahara Africa had the lowest levels of 25(OH)D. Further, country-specific median levels of 25(OH)D were low (24–38 nmol/L) among groups from Somalia, Eritrea, Afghanistan and Iraq, the countries with the largest number of immigrants in our study.

Conclusions The majority of recently settled immigrant groups from the Middle East, South Asia and Africa had 25(OH)D <50 nmol/L, in contrast to East Asians. Female adolescents from these regions had the lowest levels of 25(OH)D.

  • Public Health
  • Primary Care

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https://doi.org/10.1136/bmjopen-2013-003293

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    Article summary

    Strengths and weaknesses of this study

    • The first study in Europe assessing 25(OH)D status of recently arrived immigrants from Africa and Asia.

    • The study sample covers a large age span and both genders, and is considered more representative than clinical studies, often restricted to specific groups.

    • The sample includes immigrants from Somalia, Eritrea, Afghanistan and Iraq, for whom data about 25(OH)D status have so far been sparse.

    • Small number of participants for some countries of origin.

    • Selection bias can not be ruled out as the study population could be less healthy than those not referred.

    • The cross-sectional design implies that we can not make inferences about causality.

    Introduction

    Vitamin D deficiency is common in immigrant groups from developing countries living in Western countries, including Northern Europe and the USA.1 Several studies have also found higher-than-expected rates of vitamin D deficiency in the general population in Western countries.2 Reports from across the world indicate that vitamin D deficiency is widespread and is re-emerging as a major health problem globally.2 The prevalence of vitamin D deficiency is high in low-income and middle-income countries despite the low latitude.3 Migration to higher latitudes seems to aggravate vitamin D deficiency, but vitamin D status also differs in the countries of origin and may be very low despite abundant sunlight. Several studies of the Middle Eastern and South Asian populations show low levels of vitamin D.2 ,4 Little is known about the vitamin D status in South Sahara Africa and Central and South America, but some studies indicate that vitamin D status seems to differ between countries.5 ,6 Most studies from Asia report low levels of vitamin D, except those from Japan and Malaysia. Studies from Oceania show inconsistent results despite a sunny climate.2 In Europe, vitamin D status varies with gradients from North to South and from West to East,7 although reports from Eastern Europe and Russia are few. Older age, female sex, higher latitude, winter season, darker skin pigmentation, less sunlight exposure, low socioeconomic status and dietary habits are the main factors significantly associated with low vitamin D levels.2 ,3

    Vitamin D is essential for skeletal health and bone mineralisation and calcium homeostasis.8–10 Severe deficiency causes rickets in children and osteomalacia in adults. There is increasing interest in the association between vitamin D deficiency and other common diseases.11–14 Adequate vitamin D levels seem to protect against musculoskeletal disorders, infectious and autoimmune diseases, cardiovascular diseases, types 1 and 2 diabetes mellitus, several types of cancer, neurocognitive dysfunction and mental illness, as well as infertility and adverse pregnancy outcomes. Vitamin D deficiency is associated with all-cause mortality.15

    Vitamin D is synthesised by the skin when exposed to direct sunlight, which may cover 80–90% of the needs, with the remaining being normally acquired through dietary sources.16 Vitamin D undergoes hydroxylation in the liver, resulting in the main circulating form 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25(OH)D), which is metabolised to the active form 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D, acting through vitamin D receptors found in many tissues.17 ,18 The serum level of 25(OH)D is the best indicator of an individual's vitamin D status.9

    Vitamin D deficiency is far more prevalent among immigrants in Norway than among ethnic Norwegians,19–21 although few ethnic groups other than participants from Pakistan, Iran, Turkey, Sri Lanka and Vietnam have been studied.22–25 Today, the highest number of immigrants from Africa and Asia are from Somalia, Afghanistan, Eritrea, Pakistan and Iraq.26

    The objectives of the present study were to estimate the prevalence of vitamin D deficiency among recently arrived immigrants from Africa and Asia to Oslo, and to explore vitamin D levels according to origin, gender and age.

    Material and methods

    Design, setting and study population

    This is a cross-sectional study of all new immigrants referred to the Centre of Migrant Health, Health Agency, Oslo municipality, the capital of Norway, situated at 60°N, in 2010. Individuals with missing values of 25(OH)D were excluded. The background population covered by this study is restricted to immigrants in the municipality of Oslo. The Centre offers a free medical examination for immigrants arriving as family immigrants, asylum seekers, unaccompanied minor asylum seekers, persons granted asylum or residence on humanitarian grounds, United Nations (UN) refugees and other legal residence permits (au pairs), while other working immigrants are expected to use standard healthcare services. Individuals are referred from Child Health Clinics, school nurses, the Section for Prevention of Tuberculosis at Oslo University Hospital (obligatory screening of tuberculosis), asylum reception centres, the UN refugee reception centre and Norwegian courses for recently settled immigrants.

    Data collection and variables

    Demographic data registered in electronic medical records: age, gender, country of birth, residence status, duration of residence in Norway and results of blood tests from medical records were consecutively collected.

    S-25-hydroxyvitamin D was analysed by competitive radioimmunoassay (RIA; Kit from DiaSorin, Stillwater, Minnesota, USA) at the Hormone Laboratory, Oslo University Hospital, Aker. According to the Hormone Laboratory, the intra-assay and interassay coefficients of variation were 6 and 13–16%, respectively. Vitamin D deficiency was defined as 25(OH)D <50 nmol/L,1 ,13 ,19 and severe vitamin D deficiency as 25(OH)D <25 nmol/L.

    Residence status was categorised as: (1) family immigrants, (2) asylum status, (3) other legal residence permits (mainly au pairs). Ethnic origin was defined by the participant's mother's country of birth and further categorised into the following regions: South Sahara Africa (primarily Somalia, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Ghana and Kenya), the Middle East including North Africa (primarily Afghanistan, Iraq, Palestine, Iran, Morocco and Chechnya), South Asia (primarily Pakistan, Sri Lanka and Nepal), East Asia (primarily Philippines, Thailand and Myanmar) and others (ethnic origin from Eastern Europe and Central and South America due to the small sample size). We also report data for countries with the largest number of individuals: Somalia, Afghanistan, Eritrea and Iraq.

    According to the Norwegian Directorate of Immigration (UDI) and Statistics Norway (SSB), 990 non-Western immigrants settled in Oslo with legal residence permits in 2010; 34 were UN refugees, 881 were family immigrants or persons granted asylum or residence on humanitarian grounds. Furthermore, 75 asylum seekers lived in asylum reception centres in Oslo in 2010, giving an estimated source population of 990 individuals. A total of 618 persons had a health check-up at the Centre in 2010; 27 (4%) individuals had no valid 25(OH)D; blood test was not ordered in 16 who had recently drawn blood elsewhere; 7 did not take the recommended blood tests and for 4 the blood samples were not analysed. They represent both genders, all age groups and all regions, with no significant differences between groups (p>0.05 for all), resulting in a study sample of 591 individuals. Based on data from the Norwegian Directorate of Immigration and Statistics Norway (SSB) stating that about 990 individuals settled in Oslo in 2010, we estimate that the study population covers 60% of the source population. Detailed information from the Norwegian Directorate of Immigration about family immigrants to Oslo in 2010 indicates that our sample covers about 85% of family immigrants from Somalia, Ethiopia and Eritrea and 68% from Iraq, Iran, Morocco and Afghanistan.

    As data were consecutively collected as part of routine care, the Regional Committee for Research Ethics in Norway considered the work a quality study not requiring formal approval. No person identifiable information was registered (anonymous data).

    Statistics

    Median values with the 25th and 75th centiles for skewed variables, mean values and SDs for normally distributed variables and proportions with different levels of 25(OH)D are reported. The Kruskal-Wallis test (non-normally distributed continuous data) and Pearson’s χ2 (categorical variables) were used for comparisons between groups. 25(OH)D levels were log transformed due to the skewed distributions. The results are back-transformed and presented as geometric means.

    Multiple linear regression was performed to assess the relationship between demographic (independent variables) and the level of 25(OH)D (dependent variable). Owing to the non-linear relationships with the (log transformed) 25(OH)D levels, the variables age and duration of stay were categorised. The unadjusted model included the variables of interest: gender, age group and region of origin, as well as all two-way and three-way interactions. In the fully adjusted linear regression model, potential confounders (duration of residence in Norway, season of blood test and residence status) were additionally included with main effects and with two-way interactions with the variables of interest. Wald tests were performed to test for equality of coefficients, with Sidak adjustment of p values.

    The analyses were performed in SPSS V.18 and STATA V.12. Two-sided tests were used and a significance level of 0.05 was set.

    Results

    A total of 591 participants from 51 different countries were examined in 2010 and had valid 25(OH)D values. Characteristics of the sample are given in table 1. The mean age was 22.7 years (range 0–88); 54.4% of the population were female, and the median time of stay in Norway was 4 months (table 1). The ethnic groups were similar with regard to gender, age, months living in Norway and residence status. Individuals were referred to the Centre from Section for Prevention of Tuberculosis at Oslo University Hospital (n=118), Norwegian courses for recently settled immigrants (n=105), school nurses (n=101), Child Health Clinics (n=99), asylum reception centre (n=48) and the UN refugee reception centre (n=47).

    View this table:
    Table 1

    Characteristics of participants stratified by country of birth, including vitamin D status

    Although the median 25(OH)D level was 37 nmol/L, large differences between the ethnic groups were observed (lowest for the Middle East: 29 nmol/L and highest for East Asia: 62 nmol/L (p<0.001, table 1). The prevalence of 25(OH)D deficiency differed among the ethnic groups (figure 1; for 25(OH)D <50 nmol/L—the Middle East: 81% (95% CI 75.4% to 86.6%), South Asia: 75% (CI 64.0% to 86.0%), South Sahara Africa: 73% (CI 67.5% to 78.5%), East Asia: 24% (CI 12.6% to 35.6%), p<0.001 for differences, and for severe deficiency 25(OH)D <25 nmol/L—the Middle East: 38% (CI 31.1% to 45.0%), South Asia: 35% (CI 22.9% to 47.1%), South Sahara Africa: 24% (CI 18.7% to 29.3%), while no East Asians had levels below this value, p<0.001 for differences). Geometric means of 25(OH)D according to age, duration of residence in Norway, residence status and season for both genders are given in table 2. The overall level was significantly lower for female than male participants (p<0.001). The lowest level was found in female adolescents (age 10–17 years).

    View this table:
    Table 2

    Crude geometric mean (95% CI) vitamin D (25(OH)D in nmol/L) levels according to gender, age, duration of residence in Norway, residence status and season for 591 participants with valid vitamin D

    Figure 1
    Figure 1

    Proportion of participants (%) in categories of serum 25(OH)D concentrations in females and males according to geographic origin.

    Estimated 25(OH)D geometric mean levels for three age groups and both genders (unadjusted model, table 3) also differed between the ethnic groups. After adjusting for potential confounders (duration of residence, residence status and season, adjusted linear regression model, table 3), the ethnic differences persisted. East Asians had the highest levels compared with the other groups. Geometric mean 25(OH)D values were particularly low with estimated values <25 nmol/L among females (age 10–17 years) from Africa, the Middle East and South Asia.

    View this table:
    Table 3

    Crude and adjusted estimated Vitamin D [25(OH)D in nmol/L] levels from a different geographic origin according to gender and age

    25(OH)D <25 nmol/L was prevalent among female adolescents; 58% in the 10–17 years age group had 25(OH)D <25 nmol/L, compared with 30% in the >18 years age group and 17% of children <10 years of age (p<0.001). Among males, 4% younger than 10 years of age, 23% of 10-year olds to 17-year olds and 24% of those older than 18 years of age had 25(OH)D <25 nmol/L (p=0.008).

    Unadjusted median 25(OH)D values for countries with the largest number of participants are reported (130 from Somalia, 46 from Eritrea, 82 from Afghanistan and 43 from Iraq). Median 25(OH)D values were 38 and 28 nmol/L in Somali and Eritrean males and 30 and 28 nmol/L in Somali and Eritrean females, respectively; these values were lower than for the rest of the South Sahara African region (p<0.001). The corresponding median values in Afghani and Iraqi males were 27 and 32 nmol/L, and in Afghani and Iraqi females 26 and 24 nmol/L, which for both genders was lower than for the rest of the Middle Eastern region (p<0.001). 25(OH)D <25 nmol/L was prevalent (figure 2), but mostly in females; also in females, 56% of Iraqi, 48% of Eritrean and Afghani and 36% of Somalis had 25(OH)D <25 nmol/L. In males, 39% of Afghani, 33% of Iraqi, 32% of Eritrean and 16% of Somalis had 25(OH)D <25 nmol/L.

    Figure 2
    Figure 2

    Proportion of participants (%) in categories of serum 25(OH)D concentrations in females and males according to origin from Somalia, Eritrea, Afghanistan or Iraq.

    Discussion

    To our knowledge, this is the first study in Europe to estimate 25(OH)D status and prevalence of 25(OH)D deficiency in recently arrived immigrants from Africa and Asia, covering children, adolescents and adults of both genders. Among immigrants from South Sahara Africa, the Middle East and South Asia, nearly 80% had 25(OH)D <50 nmol/L. From these regions, approximately one-third had 25(OH)D <25 nmol/L. In contrast, in the East Asian population, one-fourth had 25(OH)D levels <50 nmol/L and none had 25(OH)D <25 nmol/L. 25(OH)D levels also show striking differences according to gender and age, with female adolescents from South Sahara Africa, the Middle East and South Asia having an alarmingly low geometric mean value after adjusting for confounders (duration of residence, residence status and season). They also had the highest risk of 25(OH)D <25 nmol/L, which is closely linked with adverse clinical outcomes.8–10 Furthermore, the median 25(OH)D levels are low (24–38 nmol/L) among immigrants from Somalia, Eritrea, Afghanistan and Iraq, the countries with the largest numbers in our study, and 25(OH)D <25 nmol/L is prevalent in these groups. Hence, the majority coming from Africa, the Middle East and South Asia had 25(OH)D <50 nmol/L on arrival in Norway.

    The study includes consecutively registered 25(OH)D for 96% of all participants attending the Centre of Migrant Health in 2010, measured with standard methods at the same laboratory. Few values were missing, most likely at random. Those referred are mostly healthy individuals; the sample covers a large age span and should be more representative than clinical studies or studies restricted to specific age groups or clinical settings (like pregnant or postpartum women). Furthermore, although we do not have detailed information about the size of the source population, especially not about working immigrants with the largest groups coming from Eastern Europe in 2010, the study population mostly covers immigrants from countries with no/few working immigrants. Another strength is that the sample includes groups from Somalia, Eritrea, Iraq and Afghanistan, where data about 25(OH)D status have been lacking. We have performed a sensitivity analysis for the groups from South Sahara Africa and the Middle East under the assumption that the proportion with 25(OH)D <50 nmol among the 40% not referred was 25% lower than we reported. If so, the true prevalence in the total South Sahara Africa group would be 66%, not 73% as reported. Similarly, the true prevalence in the Middle Eastern group would be 73%, not 81%. However, 25(OH)D <50 nmol/L would still be very prevalent. Data from The Norwegian Directorate of Immigration indicates that our sample covers about 85% of family immigrants from Somalia, Ethiopia and Eritrea and 68% from Iraq, Iran, Morocco and Afghanistan. This lends support to the notion that the study population, especially the groups from South Sahara Africa and the Middle East, can be considered as representative of recently arrived immigrants from these regions. However, some weaknesses exist, related to the small numbers for some countries or regions, and missing information about other possible confounders, such as education. Furthermore, heterogeneity may exist within regions. Although available data indicate that the study population is fairly representative of family immigrants and asylum seekers, the main groups in our study, we cannot rule out selection bias; the study population could be less healthy than those not referred. We do not know the migration story in detail, such as the transit period and transit country, dietary habits or the degree of concealing clothing in females. Furthermore, those coming to Norway may be more healthy and not be representative of the majority in their home country,27 ,28 so the data cannot be generalised to represent their home countries, even though 25(OH)D status was assessed shortly after arrival for the majority. Lastly, as the study used a cross-sectional design to study 25(OH)D status in immigrants at arrival, we cannot make inferences about causal predictors for the observed 25(OH)D deficiency, or for 25(OH)D status in the immigrant populations in general, as such studies would necessitate a prospective design.

    The problems involved when comparing studies are many; the methods of measuring 25(OH)D levels vary extensively and direct comparison of 25(OH)D levels between studies is not reliable unless the same assay is used or the assays are cross calibrated.29 ,30 Different definitions of 25(OH)D deficiency are in use, and few studies use population-based samples. Our study is in accordance with several other population-based studies showing that 25(OH)D deficiency is prevalent globally.2 ,3 However, heterogeneity between regions exists. Only 24% from East Asia, mainly those born in Thailand and the Philippines, had 25(OH)D deficiency in our study. The Oslo immigrant study, however, showed a high prevalence (80–85%) of deficiency among adults from Vietnam.23 Until now, little is known about 25(OH)D status in most low-income countries. We found no studies of 25(OH)D status from Somalia, Eritrea and Iraq, a few studies from Pakistan31 ,32 and only one study from Afghanistan of children <5 years of age.33 Participants from Somalia, Eritrea, Afghanistan and Iraq are the largest groups in our study and are highly represented among the new immigrant groups in Europe. The higher age among females from these countries probably reflects the family reunion pattern, with more male than female family members already settled. So far, we know little about the health status of these groups. One study of Somali women living in Finland showed high prevalence 25(OH)D deficiency, in line with our results.34 A study of an immigrant and refugee population to the USA shows similar results of 25(OH)D deficiency among individuals from Ethiopia and Somalia, although the time since arrival in the USA was unknown.35 Accordingly, as 25(OH)D status in Somalia, Eritrea, Afghanistan and Iraq is largely unknown, our study adds important information and might give an indication of the situation in their countries of origin.

    Although the clinical impact of moderate deficiency (25(OH)D 25–50 nmol/L) is not clear, there is no dispute that severe deficiency (25(OH)D <25 nmol/L) should be detected and treated to avoid adverse clinical outcomes for the individuals.16 Rickets was nearly eradicated in the Western world after vitamin D fortification of food. In Norway, the prevalent daily intake of fish oil during winter has contributed to a relatively low prevalence of 25(OH)D deficiency.

    As a response to the increasing incidence of 25(OH)D deficiency globally, new reference values for vitamin D are recently published,9 ,16 also reflected in new Norwegian recommendations which are underway.36 The high prevalence found in recently arrived groups from Africa, the Middle East and South Asia, especially in female adolescents, deserves clinical attention as well as awareness from public health authorities.

    Identification and treatment of 25(OH)D deficiency could either be addressed with a high-risk approach, as a clinical health issue in primary healthcare, or primarily by a population-based approach recommending daily intake of vitamin D supplements or more sun exposure, taking into account the risk of skin cancer. The population-based approach is considered the most cost-effective, taking into account the costs of consultations and blood test analyses, but a combined approach is probably necessary.

    We still lack evidence of causal relation between vitamin D and cancer, diabetes, cardiovascular disease and autoimmune and infectious disease, but several ongoing randomised clinical trials address the relations between vitamin D and extraskeletal diseases.

    Conclusion

    Approximately 80% of recently arrived non-Western immigrants from Africa, the Middle East and South Asia had 25(OH)D <50 nmol/L and one in three 25(OH)D <25 nmol/L. 25(OH)D <50 nmol/L and <25 nmol/L was most prevalent among women. Furthermore, this study provides country-specific data for recently settled immigrants from countries where data of 25(OH)D status are scarce, such as Somalia, Eritrea, Afghanistan and Iraq, and 25(OH)D <25 nmol/L was found to be prevalent in these groups. Increased awareness of 25(OH)D <50 nmol/L among adolescents, especially females, seems warranted. The high prevalence of 25(OH)D <25 nmol/L is likely to have clinical implications for the growth of children and adolescents, for pregnant women and their offspring, and is important for public health authorities. Clinicians should probably measure 25(OH)D as a routine test in immigrants from Africa, the Middle East and South Asia.

    Acknowledgments

    The authors would like to thank the Hormone Laboratory in Oslo University Hospital for analysis and interpretation of vitamin D in serum. They also thank Kåre Inge Birkeland, Faculty of Medicine, University of Oslo, for reading and commenting on the manuscript.

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    Footnotes

    • Contributors ÅRE initiated the study in close collaboration with AKJ and prepared the first version of the manuscript. KVK contributed to the discussion of the results. ÅRE and ID did all the statistical analyses. All authors have read the successive versions of the manuscript and approved the final version.

    • Funding This study was supported by a grant from the Norwegian Medical Association.

    • Competing interests None.

    • Provenance and peer review Not commissioned; externally peer reviewed.