Buonomo AR, et al. – This study determined the prevalence of vitamin D deficiency and its impact on infections in HCV–related liver cirrhosis. Findings suggested that Vitamin D could have a role in the development of infections in patients affected by liver cirrhosis. Authors recommend evaluating preventive strategies with vitamin D supplementation in randomized controlled trials.

Methods

• 291 patients affected by HCV-related liver cirrhosis were enrolled.
• The patients were dosed serum vitamin D levels at enrolment.
• Authors assessed the presence of infection at baseline and during follow-up based on physical examination and laboratory analyses.

Results

• 68.3% of patients were diagnosed with vitamin D deficiency (< 20 ng/mL); a total of 102 infections were detected.
• The most common infections diagnosed were urinary tract infections (41.2%).
• Higher vitamin D deficiency rates were observed in patients with decompensated cirrhosis (Child-Pugh B vs A p = 0.008, and Child-Pugh C vs A p = 0.024).
• There appeared a significant association of infection with vitamin D deficiency (p<0.001), MELD score >15 (p = 0.003), Child-Pugh class B/C vs A (p < 0.001), and active hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) (p < 0.001).
• Multivariate analysis indicated that 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.