Clinically-diagnosed vitamin deficiencies and disorders in the entire United States military population, 1997–2015

Nutrition Journal

Joseph J. Knapik¹  Emily K. Farina¹  Harris R. Lieberman¹  Victor L. Fulgoni² 

[1] Military Nutrition Division, US Army Research Institute of Environmental Medicine, 10 General Greene Ave, 01760, Natick, MA, USA;Nutrition Impact, LLC, 9725 D Drive North, 49014, Battle Creek, MI, USA;

关键词: Hypervitaminosis;    Hypovitaminosis;    Sex;    Age;    Race;    Military service;   

DOI  :  10.1186/s12937-021-00708-2

来源: Springer

【 摘 要 】

BackgroundThis study examined incidence rates, temporal trends, and demographic factors associated with vitamin deficiencies/disorders in all United States military personnel from 1997 to 2015 (mean N = 1,382,266/year).MethodsEmploying an ecological study design, the Defense Medical Epidemiological Database and specific International Classification of Diseases codes were used to determine incidence rates for clinically-diagnosed vitamin deficiencies/disorders. Associations with demographic factors were examined.ResultsThe overall incidence rate of vitamin deficiencies/disorders was 92.7 cases/100,000 person-years (p-yr). Highest rates were for vitamin D (53.7 cases/100,000 p-yr), other B-complex vitamins (20.2 cases, 100,000 p-yr), vitamin B12 anemia (7.6 cases/100,000 p-yr), deficiencies of “other vitamins” (5.9 cases/100,000 p-yr), and vitamin A (2.5 cases/100,000 p-yr). Thiamin, riboflavin, niacin, pyridoxine, folate, vitamin C, and vitamin K deficiencies and hypervitaminoses A and D had < 1 case/100,000 p-yr. Rates for vitamin D, other B-complex, “other vitamin”, and thiamin deficiencies increased over time, while vitamin A and C deficiencies decreased. Women had higher incidence rates for all examined deficiencies/ disorders except niacin and vitamin C. Incidence rates rose with age in 8 of 15 deficiency/disorder categories and blacks had higher incidence rates in 9 of 15 deficiency/disorder categories.ConclusionsThe overall rate of clinically-diagnosed vitamin deficiencies and disorders was low but higher in women and minority subgroups. As for most illnesses, the diagnosed incidence of such disorders may be an underestimate of the actual incidence. These findings can guide clinical decision making with regard to testing for nutritional deficiencies and delivering public health information to at risk populations.Clinical trial registration(No. ISRCTN58987177). Registration date 9 October 2019.

【 授权许可】

CC BY