High Prevalence of Vitamin D Deficiency Among HIV-Infected Patients

1. High Prevalence of Vitamin D Deficiency Among HIV-Infected Patients Dr. Catherine Chien, Claudia Carlotti, Dr. Laveeza Bhatti, Pam Jongthavorn, Dr. Miguel Valdes-Suerias, Dr. Paul DenOuden, Dr. Shilpa Sayana, Dr. Homayoon Khanlou AIDS Healthcare Foundation Department of Medicine Los Angeles, CA USA

2. BACKGROUND Vitamin D has been linked to a wide variety of medical ailments --Cardiovascular disease --Hypertension --Chronic headaches --Various cancers --Mood disorders --Higher rates of respiratory infections In HIV-infected patients, this deficiency may have additional impact on an already compromised immune system METHODS We evaluated prevalence of vitamin D deficiency in a cohort of HIV-infected patients in our clinics Patients who had 25-(OH)-vitamin D measurement between 06/01/09 and 12/31/09 were assessed based on the following criteria: -Normal vitamin D: >30 ng/mL -Vitamin D insufficiency: 20-30 ng/mL -Vitamin D deficiency: <20 ng/mL

3. RESULTS 465 patients were included Mean age: 45 years old Gender: Male: 388 (83%) Female: 72 (15%) Transgender: 5 (2%) Race:Caucasian: 161 (35%) Hispanic: 151 (32%) Black: 139 (30%) Other: 14 (3%) Mean CD4: 520 cells/mm3 Mean HIV VL: 9347 copies/mL Only 159 (34%) had normal vitamin D levels 306 (66%) had inadequate levels 174 (38%) insufficient 132 (28%) deficient CONCLUSIONS Two-thirds of HIV-infected patients screened were found to have inadequate vitamin D stores Given the known association between vitamin D and other metabolic processes, adding vitamin D measurement and supplementation in the management of HIV-infected patients seems reasonable Impact of vitamin D deficiency warrants further research