Persistent vitamin D deficiency linked with poor clinical liver outcomes

A severe vitamin D deficiency at the time of a primary sclerosing cholangitis (PSC) diagnosis that remains persistent is associated with liver-related mortality or the need for liver transplantation, according to a study.

Researchers analyzed the vitamin D levels of 354 patients diagnosed with PSC at a liver disease clinic.

Overall, 63 patients were found to have severe vitamin D deficiency, defined as <25 nmol/L. These patients were 2.5 times more likely to experience hepatobiliary malignancies. A severe vitamin D deficiency at diagnosis and persistent deficiencies over time were independently associated with a higher risk of poor clinical liver outcomes.

Reference
Ebadi M, Rider E, Tsai C, et al. Prognostic Significance of Severe Vitamin D Deficiency in Patients with Primary Sclerosing Cholangitis. Nutrients. 2023;15(3):576. doi: 10.3390/nu15030576. PMID: 36771282; PMCID: PMC9919120.