BMJ Open
Volume 5, Issue 11, 2015

Vitamin D status and associated metabolic risk factors among North Korean refugees in South Korea: A cross-sectional study (Article) (Open Access)

Kim K.J. , Kim Y.J. , Kim S.H. , An J.H. , Yoo H.J. , Kim H.Y. , Seo J.A. , Kim S.G. , Kim N.H.* , Choi K.M. , Baik S.H. , Choi D.S.
  • a Division of Endocrinology and Metabolism, Department of Internal Medicine, Korea University College of Medicine, Seoul, South Korea
  • b Division of Endocrinology and Metabolism, Department of Internal Medicine, Hallym University Kangdong Sacred Heart Hospital, Seoul, South Korea
  • c Division of Endocrinology and Metabolism, Department of Internal Medicine, Korea University College of Medicine, Seoul, South Korea
  • d Division of Endocrinology and Metabolism, Department of Internal Medicine, Korea University College of Medicine, Seoul, South Korea
  • e Division of Endocrinology and Metabolism, Department of Internal Medicine, Korea University College of Medicine, Seoul, South Korea
  • f Division of Endocrinology and Metabolism, Department of Internal Medicine, Korea University College of Medicine, Seoul, South Korea
  • g Division of Endocrinology and Metabolism, Department of Internal Medicine, Korea University College of Medicine, Seoul, South Korea
  • h Division of Endocrinology and Metabolism, Department of Internal Medicine, Korea University College of Medicine, Seoul, South Korea
  • i Division of Endocrinology and Metabolism, Department of Internal Medicine, Korea University College of Medicine, Seoul, South Korea; Division of Endocrinology and Metabolism, Department of Internal Medicine, Korea University College of Medicine, Seoul, South Korea
  • j Division of Endocrinology and Metabolism, Department of Internal Medicine, Korea University College of Medicine, Seoul, South Korea
  • k Division of Endocrinology and Metabolism, Department of Internal Medicine, Korea University College of Medicine, Seoul, South Korea
  • l Division of Endocrinology and Metabolism, Department of Internal Medicine, Korea University College of Medicine, Seoul, South Korea

Abstract

Objective: Vitamin D deficiency is now recognised as a common health problem associated with various chronic diseases; however, it has not been fully elucidated among the minority groups. Here, we aimed to investigate the prevalence of vitamin D deficiency and its associated metabolic risk factors among North Korean refugees living in South Korea. Design: Cross-sectional analysis from the longitudinal cohort, the North Korean refugee health in South Korea (NORNS) study. Participants: A total of 386 North Korean refugees aged ≥30 years, who measured serum 25-hydroxy vitamin D (25(OH)D) level. Results: The prevalence of vitamin D deficiency (25(OH)D <20 ng/mL) was 87% and no participants had an adequate vitamin D level (25(OH)D ≥30 ng/mL). Underweight participants (body mass index (BMI) <18 kg/m2) had significantly lower 25(OH)D levels than individuals with normal BMI (.18.5 and<23 kg/m2). In the multivariate logistic regression analysis, the lowest 25(OH)D level (<10 ng/mL) was significantly associated with metabolic syndrome (OR, 6.37, 95% CI 1.34 to 30.3), high triglyceride (OR, 6.71, 95% CI 1.75 to 25.7), and low high-density lipoprotein (OR, 5.98, 95% CI 1.54 to 23.2) compared with 25(OH)D levels ≥20 ng/mL after adjusting for age, sex, season, length of residence in South Korea, physical activity and BMI. Conclusions: Vitamin D deficiency is very common among North Korean refugees in South Korea. Despite their lower BMI, vitamin D deficiency was associated with metabolic syndrome in this population.

Author Keywords

[No Keywords available]

Index Keywords

physical activity urban area South Korea rural area longitudinal study Republic of Korea refugee metabolic syndrome X North Korean Democratic People's Republic of Korea alcohol consumption cholesterol blood level Waist Circumference vitamin blood level follow up human Longitudinal Studies Refugees middle aged Asian continental ancestry group statistics and numerical data diabetes mellitus Vitamin D obesity controlled study hypertension Logistic Models ethnology analogs and derivatives Triglycerides Cross-Sectional Studies glucose oxidase cross-sectional study Humans cardiovascular disease 25 hydroxyvitamin D male female risk factor Risk Factors Multivariate Analysis North Korea prevalence cholesterol vitamin D deficiency Article blood seasonal variation glucose blood level underweight major clinical study adult nutrition body weight Nutrition Surveys structured interview high density lipoprotein triacylglycerol blood level triacylglycerol glucose statistical model body mass body height systolic blood pressure 25-hydroxyvitamin D Body Mass Index diastolic blood pressure
Link
https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-84956903926&doi=10.1136%2fbmjopen-2015-009140&partnerID=40&md5=99f6a1ffdba0ce30146d3db50b33111e
DOI: 10.1136/bmjopen-2015-009140
ISSN: 20446055
Cited by: 6
Original Language: English