The Burden of Vitamin D Deficiency in Patients of Chronic Liver Disease

Abstract

Objective: To determine the frequency of vitamin D deficiency in chronic liver disease patients.

Study design: Cross-sectional study.

Place and Duration of Study: Gastroenterology Department, Liaquat National Hospital and Medical College, Karachi Pakistan, from Jan to Dec 2020.

Methodology: Patients between the age of 18 to 50 years, of either gender, already diagnosed case of chronic liver diseases for 6 months and had sun exposure of at least 15 minutes twice weekly were included in this study. History was taken after taking informed written consent, the clinical assessment was done, and blood samples were sent for serum vitamin D levels to determine the results.

Results: The study included 177 patients with chronic liver disease. One hundred eleven patients (62.7%) were males and 66 patients (37.3%) were females, with the mean age of 45.0 ± 6.306 years. Vitamin D deficiency was observed in 100 patients (56.5%).

Conclusion: The frequency of vitamin D deficiency was quite high. It increases with age and body mass index and is predominant in the male gender, while no association was noted with sun exposure time.