Dermatologists use sun block, stay indoors, and have low vitamin D (Thai in this study)

Vitamin D status in Thai dermatologists and working‐age Thai population

The Journal of Dermatology https://doi.org/10.1111/1346-8138.14742

Natta Rajatanavin Silada Kanokrangsee Wichai Aekplakorn

* Australian dermatologists had lower vitamin D levels than elderly in hospitals – 2009* Dermatologists are reminded of the importance of vitamin D in 8 diseases – Oct 2017* Dermatologists still not convienced that Vitamin D reduces atopic dermatitis – Review Dec 2013* Expert Review by Dermatologists: get more vitamin D but avoid the sun – Dec 2012* Overview Skin and vitamin D* Vitamin D Review by Dermatologists – you really really need it, but avoid the sun – Jan 2014* Do not expect a doctor to recommend a pill which will eliminate his job (vitamin D)* Medical students still have poor Vitamin D knowledge (score of 4.6 out of 20 – Poland) – Sept 2018* All items in category Shut-In and Vitamin D ** items* Single question in med school about vitamin D – Aug 2009* Radiologists are 1.7 X more likely to have low vitamin D (probably indoors too much) – Feb 2018* Melanoma Is a Disease of Office Workers - Dec 2018* Overview UV and vitamin D has the following chart* Increased sunscreen ==> increased melanoma**

This study aimed to determine the prevalence of vitamin D insufficiency among Thai dermatologists compared with the general working‐age population in Bangkok. A cross‐sectional study was conducted in healthy Thai physicians who had at least 1 years’ experience in dermatology practise and a subsample of the general Thai population from the Fourth National Health Survey. Serum 25‐hydroxyvitamin D (25[OH]D), a combination of 25(OH)D2 and 25(OH)D3, levels in both groups were measured using liquid chromatography coupled with mass spectrometry. The majority of dermatologists were of Fitzpatrick skin type III (n = 61, 61.3%) or IV (n = 32, 33.3%).

The mean serum 25(OH)D and 25(OH)D3 levels were 18.9 and 18.2 ng/mL, respectively,

    whereas the corresponding levels in the general population were 26.5 and 25.8 ng/mL.

• None of the dermatologist had serum 25(OH)D sufficiency (>30 ng/mL),

• 38 (38.78%) had vitamin D insufficiency (20–30 ng/mL) and

• 60 (61.22%) had vitamin D deficiency (<20 ng/mL).

• The frequency of vitamin D deficiency in dermatologists was significantly higher than in the general population

  • (61.2% vs 19.2%, P < 0.001).

• Ninety percent of dermatologists used sunscreen daily and spent time mostly indoors.

Dermatologists used physical sun‐protection more than half of the time when outdoors, for example, a

• book or paper as a sunshade (70.3%)

• an umbrella (48.4%)

• a long‐sleeved shirt (20.4%) or a

• hat (9.7%) .

In conclusion, dermatologists showed a remarkably high prevalence of vitamin D deficiency which may be due to inadequate exposure to sunlight, regular use of sunscreen and practicing various sun‐protection activities.