Publication:

Prevalence of vitamin D deficiency in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and it’s correlation with forced expiratory volume in one second: a tertiary care centre study

Background Vitamin D deficiency is common all over the Indian subcontinent, with a prevalence of 70-100% in the general population. Vitamin D deficiency has a role in several diseases of the respiratory system including chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Studies have shown that vitamin D deficient COPD patients have lower lung function measured by FEV1. We conducted a study to see prevalence of Vitamin D deficiency in COPD patients and it’s correlation with Forced Expiratory Volume in 1 second.

Methods A cross sectional observational study was performed in a tertiary care hospital in Hyderabad, Telangana during the period of one and half year. This included 104 COPD cases attending outpatient department of pulmonary medicine. Serum vitamin D levels were measured, and spirometry was done in all patients and data was analyzed accordingly.

Results Among 104 patients, 87 were males and 17 were females. Most of the study population (44.2%) was aged between 60-70 years. Mean BMI was 26.40 (±5.77) kg/m2. Majority of study populations (66.34%) were in GOLD stage 1 and 2. The mean Vitamin D value of the study population was 20.77±11.74ng/ml. Majority of the COPD patients were vitamin D deficient (69.2%). 25.0 % was severely deficient of vitamin D. The mean FEV1 volume (%) was 83.15±11.53, 60.97±17.47, 30.71±7.96 in sufficient, deficient and severe deficient patients.

Conclusions Vitamin D deficiency is common in COPD patients. Serum vitamin D deficiency increases with increased severity of COPD. There is positive correlation between serum vitamin D levels and post bronchodilator FEV1 (%).