Factors associated with vitamin D deficiency in a multicultural inflammatory bowel disease cohort

Frontline Gastroenterol doi:10.1136/flgastro-2012-100231
Sukhdev Chatu, Vivek Chhaya, Rosamund Holmes, Penny Neild, Jin-Yong Kang, Richard C Pollok, Andrew Poullis
Department of Gastroenterology, St George's University Hospital, London, UK
Dr Andrew Poullis, Department of Gastroenterology, St George's University Hospital, Blackshaw Road, London SW17 0QT, UK; apoullis at sgul.ac.uk
Received 12 July 2012, Revised 5 September 2012, Accepted 6 September 2012, Published Online First 30 October 2012

Objective The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of vitamin D deficiency in a multicultural inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) cohort and determine predictors of deficiency including ethnicity.

Design Patients with IBD were recruited into a dedicated database over a 6-month period and evaluated retrospectively.

Setting Department of Gastroenterology, St George's University Hospital, London, UK.

Outcomes measured Clinical data including demographics, ethnic group, disease phenotype by the Montreal classification, vitamin D level and season tested were recorded from clinical and electronic medical records. Vitamin D levels were classified as normal (?50?nmol/l) and deficient (<50?nmol/l).

Results 168 patients had a vitamin D level measured subsequent to diagnosis.
There was no significant difference in the median vitamin D level between patients with Crohn's disease (CD) and ulcerative colitis (UC) (39?nmol/l (IQR 23–56) vs 28?nmol/l (IQR 17–51), p=0.35).

Overall the median vitamin D level was significantly lower in non-Caucasians (Asian and Black) versus Caucasians (28?nmol/l (IQR 17–41) vs 41?nmol/l (IQR 25–63), p<0.0001).

Multiple regression analysis revealed

• IBD related surgery (OR 2.9) and
• ethnicity (OR 6.0 non-Caucasian vs Caucasian) in CD and
• ethnicity (OR 5.0 non-Caucasian vs Caucasian) in UC

were independently associated with vitamin D deficiency.

Conclusions Vitamin D deficiency is common in IBD patients; therefore, we suggest monitoring of vitamin D levels and correction with supplements especially in non-Caucasians and those with a history of IBD related surgery.
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See also Vitamin D Life

• All items in category Gut and Vitamin D 168 items
• More than half those with Crohn’s disease have less than 20ng of vitamin D – March 2012
• Crohn’s disease deficient in vitamin K – IBD deficient in vitamins K and D – April 2011
• IBD and Crohn but not Colitis associated with low vitamin D – May 2011
• Extra Vitamin D needed for Crohns
• Vitamin D Fights Crohn's Disease Mercola Feb 2010 file
• Crohn’s relapse reduced from 29% to 13% by taking 1200 IU of D3 – May 2010
• Vitamin D might reduce military costs for UC and CD – June 2011
• Gut doctors becoming aware of importance of vitamin D – May 2012
• About 40 % more likely to get Crohn’s Disease or UC if have low vitamin D – March 2012
• Overview Deficiency of vitamin D shows the feedback problems of gut and vitamin D