Assessment of Vitamin D status of patients with human immunodeficiency virus

Abstract

Background: Vitamin D regulates calcium and phosphorus homeostasis. Vitamin D deficiency (VDD) commonly occurs in people living with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) (PLWHIV) and is linked to bone disorders and metabolic and infectious diseases. HIV seropositivity and VDD may worsen the consequences on the individual. Methods: A cross-sectional analytical study was conducted using 90 serum samples from 42 HIV-positive and 48 HIV-negative patients attending the Nnamdi Azikiwe University Teaching Hospital (NAUTH). This study was approved by the NAUTH Ethics Committee. Serum Vitamin D levels were analyzed using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Sociodemographic data were obtained using a questionnaire. Data analysis was performed using IBM SPSS Windows version 27, and P < 0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results: Overall, 13.3% of the population had suboptimal Vitamin D levels, with 2.2% having VDD and 11.1% having Vitamin D insufficiency. VDD was found in 2.2% and 2.1% of the HIV-positive group and HIV-negative groups, respectively. No significant difference was observed in mean serum Vitamin D levels between the two groups (P > 0.05). Within the HIV-positive group, education, place of living, and skin coloration were associated with suboptimal Vitamin D levels, and only skin coloration was associated with HIV-negative subjects. Conclusion: VDD is relatively low in the region; however, it may contribute to poor bone health in PLWHIV. Interventions should target individuals with poor educational attainment, living in rural domains, or dark skin coloration. Studies with large sample size are needed to determine the effects of Vitamin D supplementation or exposure to sunlight on HIV infection.