Dynamics of vitamin D level in patients with chronic pancreatitis on the background of enzyme replacement therapy

Abstract

According to the latest data, the risk of vitamin D deficiency in patients with chronic pancreatitis (CP) and associated exocrine pancreatic insufficiency (EPI) is higher than in the general population. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the dynamics of vitamin D level in patients with CP with EPI against the background of long-term enzyme replacement therapy (ERT) with the use of microencapsulated pancreatin preparations. The study included 58 CP patients, who were divided into two groups depending on the results of laboratory assessment of nutrient status parameters. The 1st group consisted of the patients with the signs of EPI (according to the data of low values of the elastase test) without deviations in the nutritive status. The 2nd group consisted of CP patients with EPI and low values of stool elastase-1 and abnormal nutrient status. According to the results of the study, the serum level of vitamin D in the 1st group was 36.05 (95% CI 32.8397–38.9603) ng/ml, and in the 2nd group - 10.6 (95% CI 32.8397– 38.9603) ng/ml. A reliable inverse correlation between the past history duration and vitamin D level (r = -0.5644; 95% CI -0.8162 – -0.1324, p = 0.0147) was revealed, as well as a reliable direct correlation between elastase and vitamin D levels in the 2nd group (r = 0.8296; 95% CI 0.592–0.9345, p < 0.0001). Long-term ERT (8-12 months) resulted in a significant increase of vitamin D level in the 2nd group of patients from 10.6 (95% CI 32.8397–38.9603) ng/ml to 17.1 (95% CI 12.0166-23.6232) ng/ml (p < 0.0003).