Objective: To find prevalence of Vitamin D deficiency in HIV/AIDS patients presenting to Jinnah Hospital Lahore.
Methodology: This observational cross-sectional study was conducted in Department of Medicine, Jinnah Hospital Lahore for duration of 6 months from November 1, 2016 to April 30, 2017. After taking informed consent, 171 patients aged 20 to 60 years, of both genders, diagnosed as HIV/AIDS for more than 6 months were included in the study. Basic demographic information was recorded, after which 5 ml of blood sample taken and vitamin D levels performed. Data were analyzed using SPSS 20. Vitamin D level was stratified using Chi-Square Test.
Results: Out of 171 patients, 78.9% were male and 21.1% were female. Mean age was 30.7+9.2 years. Mean duration of disease was 14.5+8.6 months. Patients belonging to low socioeconomic status constituted 53.8%, middle socioeconomic status 28.1% and 18.1% came from high socioeconomic status. Mean Vitamin D level was 38.6+12.4 nmol/l. Vitamin D deficiency was present in 76.0% while severe Vitamin D deficiency was seen in 9.4%. Age, gender, socioeconomic status and duration of disease were associated significantly with Vitamin D deficiency.
Conclusion: Vitamin D deficiency was highly prevalent in patients with HIV/AIDS in our population. We recommend that HIV/AIDS patients should be given Vitamin D supplements in conjunction with antiviral therapy to improve their over-all health and quality of life.
Key words: HIV, AIDS, Vitamin D Deficiency.
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