Association between vitamin D deficiency and diminished pulmonary functions

Authors

  • Abhishek Kumar Assistant Professor, Department of Pulmonary Medicine, TMMC&RC, Moradabad, Uttar Pradesh, India
  • Ravi Shankar Mishra Assistant Professor, Department of Pulmonary Medicine, L.N.Medical College& J.K hospital, Bhopal, M.P., India
  • Piyush Khajuria Assistant Professor, Department of Medicine, TMMC&RC, Moradabad, Uttar Pradesh, India

Keywords:

COPD, Vitamin D, Pulmonary Disease, Exacerbations

Abstract

Introduction: Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) is a chronic disease that causes persistent airflow obstruction.Vitamin D Deficiency (VDD) as global health problem was shown to be a modifiable explanatory factor to improve outcomes in several chronic diseases.The precise role of vitamin D in the pathogenesis of COPD is unclear however studies have described that vitamin D can alter the activity of various immune cells, regulate airway smooth muscle and inhibit inflammatory responses. Material and methods: The study was conducted in the department of pulmonary medicine. All patients were evaluated with a detailed history and physical examination. Relevant investigations including estimation of vitamin D levels were done in all cases. The diagnosis and staging of COPD was made according to the GOLD criteria by spirometry and bronchodilator testing and patients were classified into moderate, severe and very severe COPD on the basis of their FEV1/FVC ratios. The presence of vitamin D deficiency was defined as 25(OH)D levels < 20.0ng/ml, Vitamin D insufficiency as 25(OH)D levels 20ng/ml- 29ng/ml and Vitamin D sufficiency as 25(OH)D levels >30ng/ml-100ng/ml and toxic >150ng/ml. Results: The studied population showed a mean age of 54.71 years with a male 82% and female 18%. A history of smoking was present in 78% of the patients. The most common presenting symptom was dyspnoea in 78% patients followed by fatigue in 63% of the patients. Cough, Fever and Musculoskeletal pain was present in 44%, 39% and 28% respectively.After Spirometric evaluation and bronchodilator testing 33% of the patients were classified into moderate COPD, 51% were classified as severe COPD and 16% patients were found to have very severe disease. Out of the 180 patients, 46 of them (46%) presented in exacerbation. Conclusion: The study concludes that vitamin D deficiency is more prevalent the patients with COPD and the frequency increases with the severity of the disease. The association between 25(OH) D levels and COPD did not meet the level of statistical significance in the present study. Due to paucity of data further studies with a longer follow up period are recommended.

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Published

2021-04-01

How to Cite

Abhishek Kumar, Ravi Shankar Mishra, & Piyush Khajuria. (2021). Association between vitamin D deficiency and diminished pulmonary functions. International Journal of Health and Clinical Research, 4(6), 314–316. Retrieved from https://www.ijhcr.com/index.php/ijhcr/article/view/5080