Am Heart J Plus. 2026 Jun 21;68:100817. doi: 10.1016/j.ahjo.2026.100817. eCollection 2026 Aug.
ABSTRACT
OBJECTIVE: To determine the prevalence of vitamin D deficiency and identify associated demographic, lifestyle, and clinical factors among cardiology patients at the National Cardiology Center in Nouakchott, Mauritania.
METHODS: This cross-sectional study included 170 cardiology patients, with vitamin D status assessed using serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D [25(OH)D] concentrations (deficiency: <20 ng/mL). We used modified Poisson regression with robust (sandwich) variance estimators to directly estimate prevalence ratios (PRs) and 95% confidence intervals. Univariable and multivariable analyses identified associated factors.
RESULTS: Vitamin D deficiency was prevalent in 74.71% of participants. Significant associations were found with higher education (adjusted PR (aPR) = 1.35, 95% CI: 1.02-1.78).). household wealth (aPR = 1.39, 95% CI: 1.00-1.94), non-regular physical activity (aPR = 1.55, 95% CI: 1.03-2.33), and non-active status (aPR = 1.79, 95% CI: 1.18-2.71). The association for Sex-stratified analyses were exploratory and underpowered, showing wide confidence intervals for sex-specific estimates. Conclusions: This study found a high prevalence of vitamin D deficiency associated with socioeconomic and lifestyle factors among cardiology patients in Nouakchott. These associations highlight potential targets for future interventional studies and public health strategies, particularly for females and those with socioeconomic and lifestyle risk factors, to reduce cardiovascular risk in this population.
PMID:42382841 | PMC:PMC13315647 | DOI:10.1016/j.ahjo.2026.100817