Abstract:
The two major sources of vitamin D are food and sunlight. Main factor that influence the
extent of solar shortwave ultraviolet B radiation reaching earth is the air pollution. Uncontrolled
urbanization leads to undue air pollution which may lead to increased prevalence of hypovitaminosis D
among the urban population. Vitamin D deficiency is prevalent worldwide and studies have associated
it with an altered lipid profile. This study was designed to compare the levels of serum vitamin D and
lipid profile in adequately sun exposed population of rural and urban areas. Methods: This crosssectional comparative study was conducted on 80 male participants. Group 1 (n=40) comprised of rural
residents and group 2 (n=40) of urban residents, all with adequate and equal exposure to sunlight.
Serum vitamin D levels were measured using ELISA. Lipid profile was measured using enzymatic
colorimetric methods. Results: Median age of participants was 51 (37–62) and 38 (25–46) years for
rural and urban groups respectively. In rural group, sixteen participants (40%) had sufficient whereas
24 (60%) had insufficient vitamin D. No participant was found to be in deficient category. In urban
group one participant (2.5%) was found in deficient and one (2.5%) in sufficient categories whereas 38
(95%) were found to be in insufficient category. The difference in frequency was found to be
significant (p<0.001). Median and interquartile range of vitamin D in group 1 and II was 68 (56–54)
and 49 (42–56) ηg/ml and the difference was significant (p<0.001). There was no difference between
the two groups for triglycerides, total cholesterol and low-density lipoproteins, however, high density
lipoproteins were significantly lower in group II as compared to group I (39.5±7.6 vs 47.6±9.0,
p<0.001). Conclusion: Despite adequate and equal sun exposure, urban population had lower levels of
vitamin D and high-density lipoproteins as compared to rural population.
