Association of seasonality and serum albumin concentration with vitamin D deficiency in subjects with chronic hepatitis C infection living in a sunny country.

Abstract

OBJECTIVE:

This study aimed to analyse the relationship between vitamin D deficiency and the season when the blood sample was obtained from subjects with chronic hepatitis C (CHC) infection.

DESIGN:

A cross-sectional study was conducted on a representative sample. Vitamin D deficiency was defined as a serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D [25(OH)D] concentration <50 nmol/l, based on the values set forth by the Endocrine Society guideline for higher-risk populations. Seasonality was defined according to solstices and equinoxes. The association of seasonality and clinical/laboratory characteristics with vitamin D deficiency was assessed using a multivariate logistic regression analysis.

SETTING:

NUPAIG Viral Hepatitis Outpatient Clinic of the Universidade Federal de São Paulo - Brazil.

PARTICIPANTS:

Adult subjects with CHC infection (n 306).

RESULTS:

The prevalence of vitamin D deficiency was 16 %, whereas the median serum 25(OH)D concentration was 87 (interquartile range, 59; third quartile = 118) nmol/l. Serum concentration was consistently lower in samples collected in spring and winter than in other seasons. In multivariate analysis, vitamin D deficiency was found to be independently associated with male gender, serum albumin concentration and with samples drawn in winter and spring.

CONCLUSIONS:

The findings show not only the relevance to consider season as a factor influencing 25(OH)D concentration but also the need to actively screen for hypovitaminosis D in all patients with CHC infection, especially in females and those with low albumin concentration.

• Authors: Henrique Pott-Junior, Camila Luzeiro, Jorge Figueiredo Senise, Adauto Castelo
• Journal: Public health nutrition (Public Health Nutr) Vol. 23 Issue 7 Pg. 1247-1253 (05 2020) ISSN: 1475-2727 [Electronic] England
• PMID: 32148208 (Publication Type: Journal Article)

Chemical References

• Serum Albumin
• Vitamin D
• 25-hydroxyvitamin D

Topics

• Adult
• Brazil (epidemiology)
• Cross-Sectional Studies
• Female
• Hepatitis C, Chronic (blood, epidemiology)
• Humans
• Logistic Models
• Male
• Middle Aged
• Risk Factors
• Seasons
• Serum Albumin (analysis)
• Sunlight
• Vitamin D (analogs & derivatives, blood)
• Vitamin D Deficiency (blood, epidemiology)