To measure the Vitamin D status in patients attending a rheumatology outpatient clinic because of the known musculoskeletal and immunosuppressive effects of Vitamin D deficiency.
66 consecutive patients at a private rheumatology clinic in central New Zealand were recruited at the beginning of winter.
Of 66 patients, 55 patients were included in the analysis. 43 (78%) had 25OH cholecalciferol levels that were below the reference range (50-150 nmol/L), and of these 12 (22%) had levels classified as moderate to severe deficiency (<25 nmol/L).
Vitamin D deficiency is common in this setting, and is likely to contribute to the musculoskeletal symptoms experienced in this population.