Prevalence and Impact of Vitamin D Deficiency Among Individuals Diagnosed with Chronic Liver Disease

Abstract

Introduction: Chronic liver disease is characterized by multi-nutrient deficiency. The propensity for individuals to have vitamin D insufficiency is greater in comparison to other essential minerals. Fibrosis results in a decline in the liver's ability to perform synthetic functions ultimately leading to lack of vitamin D due to poor activation caused by drop in proteins binding the vitamin. The situation is exacerbated by the decrease in productivity and the presence of nutritional deficiencies.

Materials and Methods: The present descriptive research was carried out in the Department of Medicine at DHQ Teaching Hospital Haripur spanning from 1^st January 2022 to 31^st December 2022. The study population consisted of individuals between the ages of 40 and 70 years who were diagnosed with chronic liver disease. The concentration of vitamin D was assessed in blood samples obtained from patients at the hospital laboratory. The established threshold for identifying vitamin D insufficiency is a blood vitamin D level below 30 nmol/L. Data analysis was performed using statistical software SPSS version 24.

Results: The age of the patients ranged from 40 to 70 years. The mean age of the patients was 53.40 years with standard deviation 12.194. Age wise distribution revealed 60.1% patients (n = 89) in the age group 40-55 years and 39.9% participants (n = 59) had age 56-70 years. The number of male participants were 94 (63.5%). Vitamin deficiency was observed in 64.9% patients (n = 96). The association of vitamin D deficiency with disease duration, child class and gender were statistically significant (p < 0.05).

Conclusion: The potential association between vitamin D insufficiency and the extent of liver function impairment, degree of fibrosis, and susceptibility to infection consequences suggests that it may serve as a valuable prognostic indicator and diagnostic tool. Additional research is required to thoroughly assess and substantiate the significance of vitamin D in the context of liver cirrhosis. This necessitates the undertaking of extensive prospective cohort studies and randomized trials.

Keywords: Vitamin D deficiency, Chronic Liver Disease (CLD)