Low Levels Of Vitamin Research Articles

Vitamin D and vitamin B12 profiles in children with primary nocturnal enuresis, an analytical cross-sectional study

Purpose To outline the prevalence of vitamin D and vitamin B12 deficiencies in enuretic children. Methods An analytical descriptive study was conducted on enuretic children who were followed up at the outpatient clinic for nocturnal enuresis at the Children’s Hospital, Cairo University. Sociodemographic and clinical data were recorded. The levels of vitamin D and vitamin B12 were assessed and correlated with the severity of enuresis. Results Two hundred and eighty-eight children were enrolled. Insufficiency of Vitamin D predominated (n = 139; 48.3%). Vitamin D deficiency was present in 31.3%, n = 90 and it was normal in 20.5%, n = 59). Vitamin B12 deficiency was observed in 25% of the studied children, n = 72). The one-sample Wilcoxon signed-rank test was significant for both vitamins (P value =0.001). Vitamin D showed a stronger inverse correlation with the number of enuresis episodes per day than vitamin B12 (-0.680 vs. −0.219 respectively). A cut-off of 13.7 ng/ml for vitamin D was detected, below which the child was predicted to have failed dry nights. Using multivariate logistic regression, higher vitamin D levels and behavioural treatment coexistence were significant protective factors for the absence of dry nights. Conclusion Low levels of vitamin D and B12 were detected in children with primary nocturnal enuresis, which could be considered a burden on the clinical severity of enuresis.

Nonlinear correlation and mediation effects between serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D levels and all-cause mortality in COPD patients.

Numerous studies have shown that low levels of vitamin D are linked to a higher risk of inflammatory diseases and their progression. However, how vitamin D levels affect mortality in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) patients is still unclear. Thus, this study aimed to explore the relationship between serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D [25(OH)D] levels and the risk of death from all causes in U.S. adults with COPD. This study analyzed 1,876 adults with COPD from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (2005-2018). Mortality data up to December 31, 2019, were obtained from the National Death Index (NDI) records. Participants were categorized into three groups according to their 25(OH)D levels: Q1 (<50.0 nmol/L) for deficiency; Q2 (50.0-74.9 nmol/L) for insufficiency; and Q3 (≥75.0 nmol/L) for adequacy. A weighted Cox regression model assessed the link between 25(OH)D levels and mortality. Kaplan-Meier survival curves, subgroup, and sensitivity analyses were conducted. Additionally, the relationship between 25(OH)D and the hazard ratio (HR) was detailed through restricted cubic spline analysis. Mediation analysis revealed how 25(OH)D mediates the relationship between Dietary Inflammatory Index and mortality. There were 395 all-cause deaths during the follow-up, resulting in a mortality rate of 21.06%. After adjusting for potential confounders, higher 25(OH)D levels significantly correlated with a lower risk of all-cause mortality in COPD patients (HR = 0.52, 95% CI: 0.37-0.72, p < 0.001). Restricted cubic spline analysis indicated a non-linear relationship between 25(OH)D levels and all-cause mortality (p for nonlinear = 0.023), with levels below 63.4 nmol/L posing an independent risk for all-cause mortality in COPD patients (HR = 0.98, 95% CI: 0.97-0.99, p = 0.005). Sensitivity and subgroup analyses confirmed our results' robustness, with mediation analysis showing 25(OH)D's 22% mediating effect on diet-induced inflammation and all-cause mortality in COPD patients. 25(OH)D independently lowers the risk of all-cause mortality in COPD patients, with a non-linear L-shaped correlation, and mediates the effect of Dietary Inflammatory Index on mortality, suggesting new therapeutic possibilities.

Low levels of Vitamin D during pregnancy associated with gestational diabetes mellitus and low birth weight: results from the MAASTHI birth cohort.

India has a high prevalence of Vitamin D insufficiency among women of childbearing age. In this study, we aimed to evaluate the potential relationship between Vitamin D deficiency and gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) and low birth weight (LBW) of newborns in the "Maternal antecedents of adiposity and studying the transgenerational role of hyperglycaemia and insulin" (MAASTHI) birth cohort. A prospective cohort study involving 230 participants was conducted in public hospitals located in urban Bengaluru, India. Healthy pregnant women who visited these hospitals for antenatal care (ANC) and who were between 14 and 36 weeks of gestational age were recruited after obtaining their informed consent. An oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) was administered between 24 and 36 weeks of pregnancy and blood samples were preserved at -80°C for Vitamin D analysis. Follow-up at birth included recording the child's birth weight. We found that 178 (77.4%) of the study participants were vitamin D deficient, 44 (19.1%) were diagnosed with GDM, and 64 (27.8%) gave birth to LBW babies. Women in the lowest quartile of serum Vitamin D levels had three times higher odds of developing GDM than women in the higher quartiles [OR = 3.22 (95% CI: 1.03, 10.07), p = 0.04] after adjusting for age, parity, socioeconomic status, season, and adiposity. For every one-unit increase in Vitamin D levels, Homeostatic Model Assessment for Insulin Resistance (HOMA-IR) decreased by nearly 18%. Furthermore, causal mediation analysis showed that a decrease in one unit of Vitamin D is associated with a decrease of 0.015 units of fasting blood sugar (FBS) and 0.019 units of postprandial blood sugar (PPBS) as it flows through the mediator variable insulin resistance. Vitamin D-deficient women were twice at risk of giving birth to LBW babies (OR 2.04, 95% CI 0.99, 4.19, p = 0.05). Low levels of Vitamin D during pregnancy are associated with a greater risk of pregnant women developing GDM and giving birth to LBW babies in urban Bengaluru.

Association of maternal serum vitamin D level with fetal pulmonary artery Doppler indices and neonatal respiratory distress syndrome.

Respiratory distress syndrome (RDS) is potentially fatal in infants. The present study investigated the association of maternal serum vitamin D level with fetal pulmonary artery Doppler indices and neonatal RDS. This cross-sectional-analytical study was conducted on 260 mothers admitted for delivery. The maternal serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D level was measured and fetal main pulmonary artery Doppler indices were evaluated. The neonate's weight, apgar score, RDS, Umbilical cord arterial pH and neonatal intensive care unit admission were recorded. There was a significant relationship between RDS and the low level of vitamin D in the mother's serum. Mothers with low vitamin D had higher fetal pulmonary artery pulsatility index (PI) and peak systolic velocity (PSV) and lower acceleration time (AT) to ejection time (ET) ratio. Also, in neonates with RDS, pulmonary artery PI was higher, and PSV and the ratio of AT to ET were significantly lower than neonates without RDS. Neonates with lower one and 5-min apgar scores were born from mothers with lower vitamin D levels. Serum levels of vitamin D in pregnant mothers as well as fetal pulmonary artery Doppler indices are correlated to RDS. There is a significant relationship between the serum level of vitamin D in pregnant mothers and fetal pulmonary artery Doppler indices.

The relationship between serum 25-hydroxy vitamin D status and hypertension in Syrian population: retrospective cohort study

Introduction: Vitamin D is a liposoluble steroid hormone that plays a crucial role in the maintenance of bone metabolism and calcium homoeostasis. Many studies on the effects of vitamin D on general health have been significantly increased, driven by new findings concerning the systemic and extraskeletal effects of this hormone. This study was performed to determine whether low levels of vitamin D were associated with hypertension in Syrian people. Materials and methods: This retrospective cohort study consisted of 207 subjects, including 83 (40.1%) patients suffering from essential hypertension and 124 (59.9%) patients with normal blood pressure. Aged older than 18 years, who was referred to the endocrinology clinic from September 2022 to September 2023. The data were analysed by using SPSS (version 25). Logistic regression analyses were performed with adjustments for age, sex, and waist circumference. Results: Hypertension rates were 73%, 20%, and 5% in 25-hydroxyvitamin D groups less than 12 ng/ml, 12–20 ng/mL, and greater than or equal to 20 ng/ml, respectively. Odds ratios (95% CIs) for hypertension adjusting for age, sex, and waist circumference were 178.6 (30.5_1045.6), 5.13 (0.9_26.5) for 25-hydroxyvitamin D levels less than 12 ng/ml, and 12–20 ng/ml, respectively, compared with the greater than or equal to 20 ng/ml group. Conclusions: This study has shown a high prevalence of low vitamin D levels (25OHVD/20 ng/ml) among a sample of Syrian people (78.3%). The lowest 25OHVD group was associated with a higher prevalence of hypertension, which refers to an adverse association between vitamin D level and essential hypertension. Further research is needed to confirm this relationship.

A systematic review and meta-analysis of the linkage between low vitamin D and the risk as well as the prognosis of stroke.

The research intended to probe the connection between the risk of stroke and serum vitamin D levels. Three electronic databases (Cochrane Library, EMBASE, PubMed) were searched according to the subject terms from inception until July 29, 2022, and retrieved researches were screened on the basis of inclusion and exclusion criteria. Two investigators conducted the quality assessment and data extraction. Using Stata 16.0 software, a meta-analysis was conducted on the extracted data. In total, 27 studies with 45,302 participants were included. Among these studies, 20 focused on stroke risk, while 7 examined stroke prognosis. According to the meta-analysis findings, it was observed that a higher stroke risk is connected to reduced levels of serum vitamin D. This association was reflected in a combined relative risk (RR) of 1.28 (95% confidence interval (CI): 1.15-1.42) and a worse prognosis after stroke (RR=2.95, 95% CI: 1.90-4.60). Additional analysis indicated that no apparent relationship between a decrease in vitamin D and the probability of experiencing a hemorrhagic stroke was found. The RR found was 1.93 (95% CI: 0.95-3.95). On the other hand, it was observed that a reduction in serum vitamin D levels was linked to an elevated likelihood of developing an ischemic stroke. The RR identified was 1.72 (95% CI: 1.78-2.03). Moreover, a lower level of vitamin D in the bloodstream was associated with a more unfavorable prognosis for individuals who suffered from a stroke. The RR for this correlation was 2.95 (95% CI: 1.90-4.60). However, further research is required to confirm the above-mentioned findings. In conclusion, lower concentration vitamin D was found to be related to an increased risk of stroke, which could mainly be reflected in ischemic stroke patients but not in patients with hemorrhagic stroke. A lower serum vitamin D level was correlative with the poor prognosis of stroke.

Vitamin D Reduces the Activity of Adenosine Deaminase and Oxidative Stress in Patients with Type Two Diabetes Mellitus.

Patients with Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) have lower levels of vitamin D. An elevation in uric acid (UA) contributes to T2DM via an increase in oxidative stress. Adenosine deaminase (ADA) is an enzyme of the purine degradation pathway. It is hypothesized that a reduction of ADA activity via vitamin D supplementation reduces UA and oxidative stress. A total of 162 participants (81 with T2DM and 81 controls) are enrolled in a case-control study. A follow-up interventional study is performed on 30 patients with vitamin D deficiency. These patients receive 50000 IU (international units) of vitamin D3 on a weekly basis for 12 weeks. This intervention is followed by the measurement of several markers. T2DM patients has higher ADA activity, UA, and lipid peroxidation but lower 25-hydroxy-vitamin D (25 (OH) vitamin D) and GSH/GSSG ratio (p<0.05). Vitamin D supplementation results in a reduction of ADA activity and UA levels (p<0.05) along with an increase in GSH/GSSG ratio (p<0.05). The results highlight the presence of an axis in T2DM patients between ADA, UA, and oxidative stress. Modulation of this axis can be achieved by clinically approved vitamin D supplementation protocols.

Preventive Intake of a Multiple Micronutrient Supplement during Mild, Acute SARS-CoV-2 Infection to Reduce the Post-Acute COVID-19 Condition: A Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled, Randomized Clinical Trial.

Patients hospitalized with COVID-19 have low levels of vitamins and trace elements. This could lead to a post-acute COVID-19 condition (PCC) that can worsen a patient's quality of life. We aimed to study the baseline micronutrient status of patients and assess whether a multiple micronutrient supplement (MMS) taken for 2 weeks at the first sign of COVID-19 symptoms would be able to reduce the incidence of PCC. This double-blind, placebo-controlled, randomized clinical trial was conducted in adult outpatients with acute COVID-19, recruited between 2021 and 2023 in Spain. Of the 285 patients assessed for eligibility, 267 were randomized and 246 were included in the intent-to-treat population. The mean age was 46.8 years, and 68% were female. Overall, 54.6% had micronutrient deficiencies in the acute phase of COVID-19 at baseline, and 26.2% had PCC after 180 days of follow-up (D180). The most frequently recorded PCC symptoms were neurological (14.1%), with 24% patients scoring worse in the cognitive tests compared to their baseline status. The rate of PCC at D180 was similar between the placebo (25.0%) and intervention (27.7%) groups, without significant differences (p = 0.785). Age over 50 years was the most relevant risk factor for developing PCC, followed by female sex. The most important protective factor against PCC was SARS-CoV-2 vaccination. In this population of predominantly middle-aged, white women with acute COVID-19 not requiring hospital admission, MMS intake for 14 days at symptom onset did not prevent PCC nor improve their micronutrient status at D180.

Latent profile analysis of vitamin D and its association with depression severity of hospitalized patients with bipolar depression

ABSTRACT Objective: Vitamin D is thought to be deficient in patients with bipolar disorder. The purpose of this study is to use latent profile analysis to identify the patterns of vitamin D levels in patients with episodes of bipolar depression, and to examine the relationship among these latent profiles and demographic and clinical characteristics. Methods: A total of 149 patients diagnosed with bipolar depression were selected in Guangzhou, China. Depression was evaluated by Zung Self-Rating Depression Scale. Serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D levels tested at baseline and after two weeks of psychiatric treatment were included in the latent profile analysis to identify subgroups. P-trend analysis was used to assess the association between subgroups and depression improvement. Multinomial logistic regression analysis was used to assess the influencing factors of subgroups. Results: A three-profiles solution was found to demonstrate the best fit [low-level profile (32.9%), medium-level profile (51.0%), and high-level profile (16.1%)]. There was a significant nonlinear relationship between depression improvement and vitamin D high-level profile, compared to medium-level profile (P for trend <0.05). In multinomial logistic regression analysis, baseline and post-treatment SDS scores, admission season, age, and body mass index significantly affect the profile membership. Conclusions: This study found that individuals with high levels of vitamin D showed a significant improvement in depression severity. However, those with low levels of vitamin D remained deficient, indicating a need for targeted vitamin D supplementation. Our findings may provide valuable insights for designing tailored vitamin D supplement interventions to address vitamin D deficiency in bipolar depression.

#1532 Correlation between TNF-alpha, IL-4 and IL-6 levels and vitamin D in patients with SLE lupus nephritis

Abstract Background and Aims Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is an autoimmune connective tissue disease characterized by multisystem organ damage and high titers of autoantibodies to a number of nuclear and cytoplasmic antigens. Numerous abnormalities of the cytokine network have been observed in patients suffering from SLE. However, the relationship between cytokines and vitamin D in damage to the kidneys and various organs has not been studied enough. Aim To determine whether interleukin-6.4 (IL-6.4) and tumor necrosis factor (TNF-alpha) levels correlate with vitamin D deficiency in patients with SLE/FN. Method We determined the levels of TNF-alpha, IL-6, IL-4 and vitamin D in the blood of patients with SLE/FN in 108 people. Results Levels of TNF-alpha, IL-4 and IL-6 were higher in SLE/FN patients with vitamin D deficiency. Further analysis showed that this association was dependent on an inverse correlation (P = 0.017, r = ‒0, 49) for IL-6, (P = 0.023, r = ‒0.42) for IL-4, and (P = 0.76, r = ‒0.243) for TNF-alpha. The average level of TNF-alpha was (3.2+/-6.92 pg/ml), IL-4 and IL-6 showed results (2.13+/-8.72 pg/ml) and 5.02+ /-7.22 pg/ml) respectively for patients with vitamin D deficiency, while it was for IL-6, for IL-4 (3.5+/-6.43 pg/ml) and TNF- alpha (4.33+/-8.61 pg/ml) for patients with normal concentrations of vitamin D in the blood and IL-6, (1.02+/-5.1 pg/ml), IL-4 (2.13+/- 6.4 pg/ml), TNF-alpha (1.45+/-5.28 pg/ml), for the healthy control group, respectively. The difference was statistically significant (P = 0.002). We found a significant positive correlation between TNF-alpha, IL-4 and IL-6 and low vitamin D levels, respectively, and with the SLE Disease Activity Index (SLEDAI). (r = +0.743 and +0.772, respectively). Conclusion Increased levels of IL-4, IL-6 and TNF-alpha may influence the development and progression of nephritis in patients with SLE, in addition, the production of large amounts of IL-4, IL-6 and TNF-alpha correlates with low levels of vitamin D in the blood.

Association Between Lower Levels of Vitamin D and Inflammation in the Geriatric Population: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

There have been suggestions that vitamin D has anti-inflammatory effects; however, the variabilities of vitamin D levels among specific groups of patients and its association with these inflammatory events have not been demonstrated. This study aims to study the association between vitamin D levels and vitamin D deficiency and inflammatory events among the elderly population. PubMed, Web of Science, Scopus, Science Direct, and ClinicalKey were systematically searched in December 2023 to include the relevant data. Comprehensive Meta-Analysis (version 3.0, Biostat, Inc., Englewood, NJ) was the software used for data analyses. A total of 12 studies were included in this analysis with 14,717 elderly patients. There was an overall significant decrease in vitamin D levels in elderly patients with high inflammatory markers compared to controls (Hedges'g = -0.221, 95% CI: -0.268, -0.173, P < 0.001), and event of vitamin D deficiency was found to be 0.321 (95% CI: 0.305, 0.337, P < 0.001). There is a significant decrease in vitamin D levels among the elderly with different inflammatory conditions. Future longitudinal studies and well-designed, large, randomized controlled trials are required to study the association between vitamin D deficiency and the incidence of inflammatory events in this specific group of patients.

Micronutrient Level Among Patients with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a serious health problem today. Every year there is an increase in the number of cases of COPD around the world, which is accompanied by a deterioration in the quality of life of patients, temporary loss of ability to work, and even death. Deficiencies of macro- and microelements are currently recognized by world medicine as a global problem. These conditions have a significant impact on the body, presenting an urgent need for the development of effective health strategies to address them. According to available data, nutritional deficiencies are quite common in patients with COPD. Numerous studies highlight the impact of micronutrient deficiencies on disease progression. Currently, the connection between bronchopulmonary diseases and low levels of vitamin D and magnesium in the body of patients is being actively studied. Insufficient outdoor activity, infrequent exposure to sunlight, poor diet, alcoholism, smoking, decreased ability of the skin to synthesize vitamin D in smokers, general exhaustion of the body, and the use of certain antibiotics can be the causes of low levels of vitamin D and magnesium. Many studies indicate that deficiencies of these elements may be associated with decreased lung function and increased exacerbations in COPD, which contributes to disease progression. Deficiency conditions, which often remain undiagnosed, can negatively affect the prognosis of the disease. This study identifies the incidence of low blood levels of vitamin D and magnesium and demonstrates the relationship between low levels of these elements and the severity of COPD

Relationship of Vitamin D Deficiency with Non-Motor Functions of Parkinson’s disease

Background: Parkinson’s disease (PD), a neurodegenerative disorder is associated with substantial public health and economic burdens. Low levels of vitamin D are a common finding in patients of PD. This study was conducted to assess the serum vitamin D level in PD patients and to investigate the relationship of the vitamin D level with non motor functions of Parkinson’s disease. Methods: This case-control study was conducted in Department of Neurology, BIRDEM General Hospital, Dhaka for a period of 12 months. A total of 120 participants, 60 patients with PD and 60 age and sex matched sample of healthy controls were enrolled and informed written consent was taken. Information on socio-demographic characteristics, clinical features, laboratory parameters and neurological examinations were assessed. A semi-structured questionnaire was used for data collection and data was analyzed with Statistical Package for Social Science (SPSS) version 24.0. Results: Age and gender was not significantly different between PD cases and controls. Mean vitamin D level was significantly lower among the patients with PD compared to controls (25.97±3.44 ng/ml vs38.47±5.08 ng/ml, (p&lt;0.01). Among all the cases of PD, 45% had akathisia, 36.7% had depression and 40% had insomnia. According to Modified Hoehn and Yahr score 53.3% patients were in stage 1-2, 26.7% in stage 2-3 and 20% in stage &gt;3.The mean vitamin-D level was 28.43±2.43, 24.06±1.57 and 21.92±1.62 in stage 1-2, stage 2.5-3 and stage&gt;3 respectively and vitamin D level decreased significantly with advancement in stages of PD(p&lt;0.01). While assessing the depression in patients with PD, it was observed that stages of PD was significantly associated with severity of depression, patients with &gt;3 stage of PD was moderately severe (16.7%) and severely depressed (16.7%) than patients with &lt;3 stage PD (p=0.009). Conclusion: Importance should also be given for recognition of non- motor symptoms in PD patients, since these symptoms have an impact on patient’s quality of life. Bangladesh J Medicine 2024; 35: 82-87

Vitamin D level and low-energy fracture risk in children and adolescents: a population-based case-control study of 45 cases.

The objective of this study is to document the rate of vitamin D deficiency and insufficiency among children with low-energy fractures and compare it to fracture-free control group. We included all children under 15 years presenting to the emergency department with low-energy fractures; controls were children without history of fractures from the outpatient department. Conventional X-ray and laboratory blood tests were performed. Vitamin D deficiency was defined as serum level ≤20 ng/ml, and the mean values were compared through two-sample t -tests. The influence of vitamin D on the fractures was defined using Chi-square test, significance with P -value < 0.05. The relationships between variables and odds of fracture occurrence were examined using logistic regression models. The final sample included 37 cases (30 males, 7 females, 7.4 ± 3.7 years) and 70 control individuals (42 males, 28 females, 7.8 ± 4.6 years) without significant differences regarding age, sex, and month of inclusion. Children with fractures had lower levels of vitamin D (21.87 ± 8.40 ng/ml vs. 25.89 ± 7.62 ng/ml) ( P = 0.01). Vitamin D played a protective role against low-energy fractures (OR, 1.08; 95% CI, 1.01-1.14; P = 0.02), boys showed three times greater fracture risk than girls (OR, 3.00; 95% CI, 1.12-8.07; P = 0.03). Finally, vitamin D deficiency correlated with almost five times increased risk of pediatric low-energy fractures (OR, 4.63; 95% CI, 1.92-11.18; P = 0.001). This is the first MENA study establishing a relation between vitamin D deficiency and low-energy fractures among children and adolescents. The findings show the protective role of vitamin D on the pediatric bone and may help physicians preventing morbidity on children and costs on their families and the socioeconomic health system.

The Association between Post-Partum Depression and Nutrition and Dietary Patterns: Systematic Review.

Postpartum Depression (PPD) is a common illness with long-term effects on mother and child. Nutrition is a crucial factor in mental health, but research findings on its connection to PPD are inconsistent. This review aims to explore the correlation between PPD and dietary patterns. We conducted a comprehensive search of several databases including PubMed/MEDLINE, Embase, ISI and ISI/Web of Science (WOS), Scopus, and Iranian databases such as Magiran, Scientific Information Database (SID), and IRANDOC from 2003 to 2020. Our search was based on the keywords "postpartum depression" and "nutrition, vitamin D, Folic acid, iron, zinc, and vitamins." We applied the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) checklist to select articles based on inclusion/exclusion criteria. Of the 100 articles identified, only 24 articles met our criteria and were selected for further analysis. Research suggests that low levels of vitamin D, iron, folate, and carbohydrates, and an unhealthy diet lacking in vegetables are potential causes of PPD. However, the impact of zinc, omega-3 essential fatty acids, and other nutrients such as antioxidants, vitamin E, and vitamin C on PPD is unclear due to conflicting information. Additionally, limited research has been conducted on the association between group B vitamins and PPD. In conclusion, we can lower the risk of PPD by providing dietary guidance and working with healthcare providers. It is important to pay attention to our diet and make sure we are consuming enough vitamins and nutrients to support our mental health.

Relationship between 25-Hydroxyvitamin D3 Levels with Pain Intensity and Duration of Labor Stages in Primiparous Women.

Prolonged labor is associated with various maternal and neonatal complications. This study aims to investigate the relationship between 25-hydroxyvitamin D3 levels and pain intensity and duration of labor stages in primiparous women. This cross-sectional study was conducted in Iran from November 2021 to January 2022 and comprised primiparous women who were in active labor after a term pregnancy (37-42 weeks). Five milliliter of blood was taken from each subject and centrifuged for the measurement of vitamin D level using the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay method. The High-Performance Liquid Chromatography (HLPC) method was used to measure 25-OH vitamin D. In addition, through history, examination, and investigations, the subjects were evaluated according to the pain intensity and duration of the first (active phase) and second stages of labor. The results of the Pearson correlation test indicated a significant relationship between vitamin D and active phase duration (r = 0.64, p = 0.012), second stage duration (r = 0.73, p = 0.001), pain intensity of the active phase (r = 0.61, p = 0.022), and pain intensity of the second stage (r = 0.65, p = 0.026). According to the analysis of variance table, based on vitamin D, there were statistically significant differences between the groups in terms of the active phase duration, second stage duration, pain intensity of the active phase, and that of the second stage of labor (p < 0.05). Low levels of vitamin D may influence the progress of labor and increase the rate of prolonged labor.

Alpha-Tocopherol Levels in Patients With Dentigerous Cysts: A Cross-Sectional Study.

Background Dentigerous cysts (DC) form due to fluid accumulation between the crown of the tooth and the reduced enamel epithelium. Due to the diverse clinical characteristics, such as ambiguity concerning their biological origins and the significance of timely diagnosis and detection of these lesions, researchers are presently motivated to undertake further investigations. The aim of the present study was to assess the amount of serum alpha-tocopherol in patients with DC and compare it with that of normal, healthy individuals. Methods A total sample size of n=34 was included in the current study. Group A, designated as the control group, comprised 17 randomly selected healthy subjects, while Group B, the DC diagnostic group, consisted of 17 patients. Blood samples were collected, and the concentration of vitamin E or alpha-tocopherol was evaluated and expressed in mg/mL. Results Compared to the mean vitamin E level in healthy controls (12.08 ± 1.92 mg/mL), patients with DC showed a statistically significant (p<0.0001) reduction in mean vitamin E levels (5.29 ± 1.01 mg/mL). Conclusion Patients with DC have lower levels of vitamin E than healthy individuals. The reduced concentration of vitamin E can have a role in the extension of cystic volume and thus have an impact on the aggressiveness of pathologic lesions. The therapeutic benefits of vitamin E supplementation in reducing the aggressiveness of DC should be evaluated in future research.

The Association between Vitamin D Deficiency and the Risk of Mortality after Hip Fractures: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

Prevalence of hip fractures is on the rise and is associated with high mortality, especially in aging patients. Vitamin D is routinely recommended for bone health in general population. Our study explores the potential association between low levels (≤20 ng/mL) of vitamin D and mortality in hip fracture patients. Systematic search was done for studies that were published from inception until May 10, 2023, and that report a possible correlation between low vitamin D levels and mortality in patients with hip fractures. A random-effects model was used to assess the effects of normal vitamin D levels on mortality, subgroup analyses were conducted to assess the link between low levels of vitamin D and geographic location of the study and its impact on the recovery process. In 575 identified studies, 18 met the inclusion criteria. A strong connection between low serum levels of vitamin D (<20 ng/mL) and mortality (hazard ratio (HR): 2.29, p<0.001). Further analysis indicated that insufficient (20 to 30 ng/mL) and sufficient (>30 ng/mL) levels of vitamin D levels did not have a significant association with the mortality (HR: 1.10, p=0.12), and (HR: 1.04, p=0.50). As shown by subgroup analysis vitamin D deficiency significantly correlated with mortality in studies conducted in Europe (HR: 2.4). Our results clearly demonstrate that vitamin D deficiency is associated with higher risk of mortality in hip fracture patients. Additional analyses demonstrate that insufficient and sufficient levels of vitamin D were not significantly associated with mortality outcomes in hip fracture patients.

Correlational study of Vitamin-D deficiency levels and its severity of community-acquired pneumonia in patients admitted into a tertiary care hospital

Background: Recent studies have emphasized that people who have low levels of Vitamin D are more prone to the development of infectious diseases, particularly of a community-acquired nature, which has differential morbidity and mortality. Aims &amp; objectives: The present study aimed to determine the correlation between different levels of vitamin D deficiency and severity and outcomes in patients diagnosed with community-acquired pneumonia. Methods: In this study, the serum level of Vitamin D of 100 consecutively admitted community-acquired pneumonia patients was measured. Depending on the level of Vitamin D deficiency, patients diagnosed with community-acquired pneumonia (CAP) were assessed for severity of illness by CURB-65 score. Results &amp; Discussion: In the study population, out of 100 patients, 82% of the study sample had deficient serum vitamin D levels. In the study sample, 41 patients with higher deficiency levels of serum Vitamin D have severe illness and scored high on CURB- 65, which is in the range of three to four on the scale. 59 patients with low deficiency levels of serum Vitamin D had low scores of one or two on the CURB-65. On severity assessment in patients with severe deficiency of Vitamin D, the mean length of hospital admission was 12.30±8.47 days compared to patients with mild deficiency of Vitamin D, where the average hospital stay was 8.58±4.04 days. Conclusion: As the severity of deficiency of Vitamin D increases, the frequency of CAP increases, and it is also observed that a severe degree of deficiency is associated with severe illness and prolonged hospital stay.

THE USE OF VITAMIN D PREPARATIONS TAKING INTO ACCOUNT VITAMIN D-DEFICIENT CONDITIONS

Currently, much attention is being paid to the status of vitamin D as a biomarker of the general state of human health, since low levels of vitamin D are associated with a wide range of diseases. Vitamin D metabolism is complex. Vitamin D and its containers can have genomic and non-genomic activity. The article presents the most common causes of vitamin D deficiency. Screening for vitamin D deficiency is shown in groups of patients with risk factors for its development. Individual features of vitamin D influence caused by genetic polymorphism of the VDR gene are described. For the prevention and treatment of vitamin D-deficient conditions, the use of the vitamin D preparation colecalciferol is recommended. Drugs with high activity calcitriol and alfacalcidol are necessary in certain groups of patients for strict indications, in particular in the complex therapy of osteoporosis.