An Assessment of Frequency of Deficiency of Vitamin D among HIV/AIDS Patients

Abstract

Background: Literature showed that HIV +ve individuals were deficient for vitamin D as well. Vitamin D deficiency is one of the top most commonly observed abnormality and an independent prognostic marker of HIV disease. The scientific groups’ emphases on the likely impact of its dearth on HIV infested populace. One of most communal comorbidities in HIV-1 patients is insufficiency of Vitamin D (Vit D), which is estimated by measuring 25- hydroxyvitamin D (25[OH]D) concentrations. Patients having vitamin D levels < 20ng/ml (50nmol/l) were considered as having vitamin D deficiency. HIV infection & ART (antiretroviral therapy) may create risk factors for insufficiency of vitamin D, it also has a role in slowing down HIV ailment progression. Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted at Medicine Department in Services Hospital Lahore from June 22, 2017 to December 22, 2017. 160 Patients with HIV confirmed by ELISA method were selected by non-Probability Consecutive sampling technique. Data was entered in SPSS v23.0 & Chi square test was applied. Results: Out of 160, Frequency of Vitamin D deficiency was 111(69.4%). Results demonstrated that majority of patients 74(46.25%) are having disease for 1-3 years. While 54(33.75%) patients are having the disease for <1 year and 32(20.0%) are having the disease for >3 years. There were no significant differences between Vitamin D deficiency with age, gender and duration of HIV/AIDS (p-values 0.123, 0.136 & 0.634 respectively). Conclusion: Frequency of vitamin D deficiency is very high. This recommends that all HIV positive individuals should be considered for routine screening. Low serum calcium should prompt investigation of 25-OHD levels.