A study of Vitamin D deficiency in patients of sickle cell disease and its association with severity

Abstract

Background: Both SCD and Vit. D deficiency may cause joint pain. So, Vit. D may have a contributory role in severity of SCD presentation. This study was performed to assess burden of Vitamin D levels and association of vitamin D deficiency with severity of SCD in a tertiary care centre in India.Methods: This was a cross-sectional study, performed for one and half year. All SCD patients >18 years of age were included. Data was analysed to assess the burden of Vitamin D deficiency and to find out any correlation of S. vitamin D level with anemia, jaundice and number of episodes of hospital admissions in patients of SCD.Results: Total 50 patients were included. Multiple joint pain and easy fatigability were the most common symptoms. Most of them had history of jaundice and anaemia in the past, 84% had Vitamin D deficiency. There was significant difference in values of serum total bilirubin, blood urea, SGPT, SGOT, HbF, HbA2 and haemoglobin between the patients with Vitamin D3<30 and vitamin D3≥30 (p<0.05). There was a significant positive correlation of vitamin D3 with haemoglobin (r = 0.889) and a negative correlation with Hb A2 (r= -0.123) and total bilirubin (r= -0.438).Conclusions: Vitamin D3 deficiency is associated with increased morbidity in SCD in terms of joint pain, anemia and jaundice. Routine testing and supplementation of Vitamin D levels in these patients may help to alleviate pain, improve functionality and reduce complications.