Effect of vitamin D replacement therapy on laboratory parameters in hepatitis C virus cirrhotic patients

Abstract

Background Liver is a crucial organ for vitamin D metabolism, so vitamin D deficiency is prevalent in liver cirrhosis patients. Hepatitis C is also a global infective disease caused by hepatitis C virus (HCV) and chronic hepatitis leads to liver cirrhosis. Aim To evaluate vitamin D replacement therapy effect through laboratory parameters in HCV cirrhotic patients. Patients and methods Actual enrollment of 25 HCV cirrhotic patients (compensated and decompensated) with a 25(OH)D level of less than 30 ng/ml. All study population are subjected to be investigated at the baseline visit for 25(OH)D, ionized calcium, parathyroid hormone, complete blood count, random blood sugar, glycated hemoglobin (HbA1C), renal function tests, and liver function tests. Study participants received appointments for follow-up visits during the 12 weeks of vitamin D replacement therapy. Results After 3 months of vitamin D replacement therapy, the vitamin D level significantly improved (P=0.001), with significant increase in ionized calcium (P=0.001) and HbA1C (P=0.001). Vitamin D was significantly decreased as the Child score progressed from A to C (P=0.001). There was a significantly negative correlation among vitamin D level, Child score, and prothrombin time. However there was significant positive correlation among vitamin D level, platelet count, albumin, and ionized calcium. These correlations were before and after treatment. Conclusion In HCV cirrhotic patients, supplementation with vitamin D significantly increased 25(OH)D level and ionized calcium. Also, this was associated with improvement of HbA1C, but there was no significant effect on liver function parameters.