(P22-023-23) Pilot Study Protocol on Application of Non-Invasive Vitamin D Hair Test and Screening E-Tool for Indigenous Populations in the Great Northern Plains

Objectives: Vitamin D is a nutrient of public health concern in the Dietary Guidelines for Americans, yet there is currently little data on the vitamin D status of Indigenous populations in the U.S., including in northern portions of the country where endogenous vitamin D production following cutaneous exposure to UVB radiation is seasonally dependent. One of the challenges to assessing vitamin D levels is the invasive nature of the standard assessment method, which requires a blood draw. The objective of this study is to assess, in a pilot study with a convenience sample, vitamin D levels of Indigenous adults living in the northern Great Plains using a non-invasive method of assessing vitamin D levels from hair samples and using a screening e-tool (beta).

Methods: A validated method to assess the concentration of clinically significant forms of vitamin D (25OHD3) from hair has been developed. For this study, we will use hair sampling methods from a Consensus Statement from the Society of Hair Testing and conduct a validated clinical assay using ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry. These analyses will be conducted in samples from approximately 14 Indigenous adults. Participants will also complete an e-questionnaire to approximate current risk level of vitamin D insufficiency. Vitamin D concentration in serum will also be measured.

Results: This study will allow us to continue advancing the use of an alternative method of vitamin D assessment by comparing vitamin D concentrations in hair samples with screening results and concentrations in serum. The refinement of the hair assessment method and screening e-tool may be especially useful for at-risk populations in northern latitudes.

Conclusions: Utilizing this non-noninvasive method of vitamin D assessment will contribute to our understanding of how vitamin D levels measured in hair correspond to vitamin D sufficiency as indicated via serum measure. Additionally, screening e-tools, which can easily be implemented in public health and practice settings, may be effective in identifying those at-risk for vitamin D insufficiency, be beneficial for patient and practitioner education, and help prioritize the need for additional vitamin D testing, preserving healthcare resources.

Funding Sources: USDA Agricultural Research Service project grant