%0 Journal Article
%T Comorbidity and health-related quality of life in Somali women living in Sweden
%A Amra Osmancevic
%A Anne Lene Krogstad
%A Emily Krantz
%A Eva Angesj£¿
%A Gamal Abd El-Gawad
%A H£¿kan Sinclair
%A Kerstin L
%A Martin Gillstedt
%A Penelope Trimpou
%A Taye Demeke
%A in-Wilhelmsen
%J Scandinavian Journal of Primary Health Care
%D 2019
%R https://doi.org/10.1080/02813432.2019.1608043
%X Abstract Objective: To explore the relationship between low serum vitamin D levels and comorbidity in Somali women, immigrants to Sweden. Design and setting: Cohort study in a Primary Health Care Center and a University Hospital. Subjects: Somali women skin type V, n£¿=£¿114, aged 18¨C56 years, from latitude 0¨C10¡ð N, living in Sweden, latitude 57¡ð N£¿>£¿2 years were compared with women from a population sample, skin type II-III, n£¿=£¿69, aged 38¨C56 years, the WHO MONICA study, Gothenburg, Sweden. Main outcome measures: Serum (S)-25(OH)D, S-parathyroid hormone (PTH), comorbidity and Health-Related Quality of Life (HRQoL) using the Short Form-36 (SF-36) and part of the EQ-5D questionnaires. All calculations were corrected for age. Results: Vitamin D deficiency (S-25(OH)D£¿<£¿25£¿nmol/l) was found in 73% of the Somali women and in 1% of the controls (p£¿<£¿.0001). S-PTH was elevated (>6.9£¿pmol/l) in 26% and 9%, respectively (p£¿<£¿.004). Somali women used less medication, 16% vs. 55%, p£¿<£¿.0001) but more allergy medication, 11% vs. 7% (p£¿=£¿.006), had fewer fractures, 2% vs. 28% (p£¿<£¿.0001) and lower HRQoL in 7 out of 9 scales (p£¿<£¿.05¨C.001), than native controls. There were no differences in the prevalence of diabetes mellitus, hypothyroidism, positive thyroid peroxidase antibodies, vitamin B12 deficiency, celiac disease or hypertension. Conclusions: Vitamin D deficiency was common in Somali women living in Sweden, 73%, but comorbidity was low. Both mental, and especially physical HRQoL scores were lower in the Somali women. The effects of long-lasting deficiency are unknown. Key points The aim was to explore the relationship between vitamin D deficiency (S-25(OH)D£¿<£¿25£¿nmol/l) and comorbidity in immigrants. Vitamin D deficiency was common in Somali women living in Sweden, 73%, but comorbidity of hypothyroidism, diabetes mellitus, hypertension, fractures and use of medications was low. Both mental, and especially physical, Health-Related Quality of Life were lower in the Somali women than in native Swedish women. The effects of long-lasting deficiency are unknown
%U https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/02813432.2019.1608043