Vitamin D status and its association with muscle discomfort among Malay female indoor workers - a cross-sectional study
Abstract Vitamin D is important for musculoskeletal health, yet deficiencies remain prevalent among individuals with limited sun exposure. This study assessed serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25(OH)D) levels and their association with muscle discomfort in Malay female indoor workers. A total of 100 partic...
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Nature Portfolio
2025-07-01
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| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-025-10424-0 |
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| author | Nadwah Shafiqah Md Salleh Leong Yi Le Nicole Saidatul Aisah Shafirudin Mohd Azzuan Ahmad Kok-Yong Chin Nor Fadilah Rajab Nor Aini Jamil |
| author_facet | Nadwah Shafiqah Md Salleh Leong Yi Le Nicole Saidatul Aisah Shafirudin Mohd Azzuan Ahmad Kok-Yong Chin Nor Fadilah Rajab Nor Aini Jamil |
| author_sort | Nadwah Shafiqah Md Salleh |
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| description | Abstract Vitamin D is important for musculoskeletal health, yet deficiencies remain prevalent among individuals with limited sun exposure. This study assessed serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25(OH)D) levels and their association with muscle discomfort in Malay female indoor workers. A total of 100 participants (aged 18–55 years) were recruited. Data on dietary vitamin D intake, sun-protective behaviours and muscle discomfort were collected using questionnaires. UVB exposure was assessed with polysulfone badges, and skin colour was measured with a reflectance spectrophotometer. Serum 25(OH)D levels were analysed via enzyme-linked immunoassay, with deficiency defined as < 30 nmol/L and insufficiency as ≥ 30–50 nmol/L. The median serum 25(OH)D level was 29.0 nmol/L (IQR: 10.0), with 54% classified as deficient and 36% as insufficient. Most participants (85%) had skin type II, and 93% did not meet dietary vitamin D recommendations. Limited UVB exposure (0.07 ± 0.06 SED/d) was recorded, with most participants exposing only their faces and hands. Muscle discomfort was commonly reported, particularly in the neck (90%), shoulders (88%) and lower back (79%). Serum 25(OH)D levels correlated negatively with muscle discomfort (r = -0.20; p = 0.04) and positively with dietary intake (r = 0.43, p < 0.001) and physical activity (r = 0.45, p < 0.001). Linear regression identified dietary vitamin D intake (β = 0.59, p < 0.001) and physical activity (β = 0.25, p = 0.002) as significant predictors of serum 25(OH)D levels. Multifaceted public health strategies addressing dietary supplementation, food fortification, safe sun exposure and physical activity are essential to improve vitamin D status and musculoskeletal health in this population. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-dcd5281b79d34fcaa43f8b44eb983b6c |
| institution | Kabale University |
| issn | 2045-2322 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-07-01 |
| publisher | Nature Portfolio |
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| series | Scientific Reports |
| spelling | doaj-art-dcd5281b79d34fcaa43f8b44eb983b6c2025-08-20T03:42:38ZengNature PortfolioScientific Reports2045-23222025-07-011511910.1038/s41598-025-10424-0Vitamin D status and its association with muscle discomfort among Malay female indoor workers - a cross-sectional studyNadwah Shafiqah Md Salleh0Leong Yi Le Nicole1Saidatul Aisah Shafirudin2Mohd Azzuan Ahmad3Kok-Yong Chin4Nor Fadilah Rajab5Nor Aini Jamil6Centre for Community Health Studies (ReaCH), Faculty of Health Sciences, Universiti Kebangsaan MalaysiaCentre for Community Health Studies (ReaCH), Faculty of Health Sciences, Universiti Kebangsaan MalaysiaCentre for Community Health Studies (ReaCH), Faculty of Health Sciences, Universiti Kebangsaan MalaysiaCentre for Rehabilitation and Special Needs Studies (ICaRehab), Faculty of Health Sciences, Universiti Kebangsaan MalaysiaDepartment of Pharmacology, Faculty of Medicine, Universiti Kebangsaan MalaysiaCentre for Healthy Aging and Well-being Studies (H-CARE), Faculty of Health Sciences, Universiti Kebangsaan MalaysiaCentre for Community Health Studies (ReaCH), Faculty of Health Sciences, Universiti Kebangsaan MalaysiaAbstract Vitamin D is important for musculoskeletal health, yet deficiencies remain prevalent among individuals with limited sun exposure. This study assessed serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25(OH)D) levels and their association with muscle discomfort in Malay female indoor workers. A total of 100 participants (aged 18–55 years) were recruited. Data on dietary vitamin D intake, sun-protective behaviours and muscle discomfort were collected using questionnaires. UVB exposure was assessed with polysulfone badges, and skin colour was measured with a reflectance spectrophotometer. Serum 25(OH)D levels were analysed via enzyme-linked immunoassay, with deficiency defined as < 30 nmol/L and insufficiency as ≥ 30–50 nmol/L. The median serum 25(OH)D level was 29.0 nmol/L (IQR: 10.0), with 54% classified as deficient and 36% as insufficient. Most participants (85%) had skin type II, and 93% did not meet dietary vitamin D recommendations. Limited UVB exposure (0.07 ± 0.06 SED/d) was recorded, with most participants exposing only their faces and hands. Muscle discomfort was commonly reported, particularly in the neck (90%), shoulders (88%) and lower back (79%). Serum 25(OH)D levels correlated negatively with muscle discomfort (r = -0.20; p = 0.04) and positively with dietary intake (r = 0.43, p < 0.001) and physical activity (r = 0.45, p < 0.001). Linear regression identified dietary vitamin D intake (β = 0.59, p < 0.001) and physical activity (β = 0.25, p = 0.002) as significant predictors of serum 25(OH)D levels. Multifaceted public health strategies addressing dietary supplementation, food fortification, safe sun exposure and physical activity are essential to improve vitamin D status and musculoskeletal health in this population.https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-025-10424-025-hydroxyvitamin DSunlightMyalgiaWomenIndoor workers |
| spellingShingle | Nadwah Shafiqah Md Salleh Leong Yi Le Nicole Saidatul Aisah Shafirudin Mohd Azzuan Ahmad Kok-Yong Chin Nor Fadilah Rajab Nor Aini Jamil Vitamin D status and its association with muscle discomfort among Malay female indoor workers - a cross-sectional study Scientific Reports 25-hydroxyvitamin D Sunlight Myalgia Women Indoor workers |
| title | Vitamin D status and its association with muscle discomfort among Malay female indoor workers - a cross-sectional study |
| title_full | Vitamin D status and its association with muscle discomfort among Malay female indoor workers - a cross-sectional study |
| title_fullStr | Vitamin D status and its association with muscle discomfort among Malay female indoor workers - a cross-sectional study |
| title_full_unstemmed | Vitamin D status and its association with muscle discomfort among Malay female indoor workers - a cross-sectional study |
| title_short | Vitamin D status and its association with muscle discomfort among Malay female indoor workers - a cross-sectional study |
| title_sort | vitamin d status and its association with muscle discomfort among malay female indoor workers a cross sectional study |
| topic | 25-hydroxyvitamin D Sunlight Myalgia Women Indoor workers |
| url | https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-025-10424-0 |
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