Vitamin D deficiency is a risk factor for infections in patients affected by HCV-related liver cirrhosis

Abstract

Objectives: To evaluate the prevalence of vitamin D deficiency and its impact on infections in HCV-related liver cirrhosis. Methods: We enrolled 291 patients affected by HCV-related liver cirrhosis. Serum vitamin D levels were dosed at enrolment. The presence of infection was assessed at baseline and during follow-up based on physical examination and laboratory analyses. Results: Vitamin D deficiency (15 (p = 0.003), Child-Pugh class B/C vs A (p < 0.001), and active hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) (p < 0.001). At multivariate analysis, vitamin D deficiency (p < 0.01), HCC (p < 0.05), hospitalization (p < 0.001) and exposure to immunosuppressant agents (p < 0.05) were independent risk factors for infection at baseline. Conclusions: Vitamin D may play a role in the development of infections in patients affected by liver cirrhosis, and preventive strategies with vitamin D supplementation are to be evaluated in randomized controlled trials.

Keywords

• Vitamin D
• Infections
• Cirrhosis
• HCV
• Liver disease