Reumatismo
Volume 69, Issue 3, 2017, Pages 101-104

Vitamin D deficiency in refugees in Italy (Article) (Open Access)

De Filippis L.G.* , Trombetta I. , Novella T. , Alampi M.
  • a COOPISA Association, Reggio Calabria, Italy, Service for protection of refugees and asylum seekers (SPRAR), Projects of S. Alessio in Aspromonte (RC) and Laganadi (RC), Italy
  • b Service for protection of refugees and asylum seekers (SPRAR), Projects of S. Alessio in Aspromonte (RC) and Laganadi (RC), Italy
  • c Service for protection of refugees and asylum seekers (SPRAR), Projects of S. Alessio in Aspromonte (RC) and Laganadi (RC), Italy
  • d Service for protection of refugees and asylum seekers (SPRAR), Project of Campo Calabro (RC), Italy

Abstract

The objective of the research is to determine 25[OH]D serum levels in refugees in Italy. In the following research we have taken into consideration the results of the monitoring of Vitamin D levels in 46 refugees of the Italian Service for protection of refugees and asylum seekers (SPRAR) system. The indicator of overall vitamin D status used was the circulating serum level of 25(OH)D. Data was analyzed using Microsoft Excel. In the refugees tested, the mean level of 25(OH)D resulted 9.18 ng/mL. The standard deviation was 4.8, with a minimal level of 4.3 and a maximum of 27.4. This figure indicates a clear condition of hypovitaminosis in refugees. While it is general assumption that migratory phenomena may induce the spread of tropical or infectious diseases, widely attested literature demonstrates how chronic pathologies and diseases related to altered lifestyles are the most relevant for Italian case records. Indeed, among the aforementioned diseases, Vitamin D deficiency so far lacks acknowledgement at a national level. Considering the results of lower-than-desirable vitamin D levels found in refugees in Italy, it is necessary to take this parameter into consideration when analyzing individuals who have faced migratory phenomena in order to mitigate the effects of hypovitaminosis D. © 2017, Page Press Publications. All rights reserved.

Author Keywords

Salgari syndrome Refugees Vitamin D

Index Keywords

Pakistan lifestyle Africa south of the Sahara refugee vitamin blood level human comorbidity middle aged Refugees Vitamin D health status hypervitaminosis chronic disease ethnology analogs and derivatives Young Adult Humans Adolescent 25 hydroxyvitamin D male female vitamin D deficiency Article blood adult migration Italy 25-hydroxyvitamin D

Link
https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-85030175280&doi=10.4081%2freumatismo.2017.991&partnerID=40&md5=e71ad4194e7c8b519140753f2770af0b

DOI: 10.4081/reumatismo.2017.991
ISSN: 00487449
Original Language: English