Chronic liver disease treated by Vitamin D

Created September 2017

Vitamin D deficiency in chronic liver disease, clinical-epidemiological analysis and report after vitamin d supplementation

Gastroenterol Hepatol 2016;39:305-10 - DOI: 10.1016/j.gastre.2016.04.007, Vol. 40. Núm. 7. August - Sept 2017

Unfortunately the abstract does not indicate the vitamin D dosing used for treatment * NAFLD in children nicely treated by combination of Vitamin D and Omega-3 – RCT Dec 2016 * Vitamin D prevents Hepatitis-C and helps treat it (many studies Overview Liver and vitamin D contains the following summary {include} Wikipedia * "Chronic liver disease" refers to disease of the liver which lasts over a period of six months. It consists of a wide range of liver pathologies which include inflammation (chronic hepatitis), liver cirrhosis, and hepatocellular carcinoma."

Nereida Fernández Fernández, , Pedro Linares Torres, Diana Joáo Matias, Francisco Jorquera Plaza, Jose Luis Olcoz Goñi

Servicio de Aparato Digestivo, Hospital Universitario de León, León, Spain

Received 25 June 2015, Accepted 02 October 2015

Introduction

Vitamin D (VD) is known to have multiple extra-skeletal health functions. There is emerging interest in exploring the relationship between vitamin D and chronic liver disease (CLD).

Objectives

To determine the prevalence of VD deficiency in patients with CLD in our setting and to assess whether VD supplementation influences plasma levels and is associated with improved liver function.

Material and methods

We conducted a study in 2 phases. First, we analysed clinical and epidemiological characteristics in 94 patients with CLD; second, different doses of calcifediol (25-OH-VD) were administered to patients with VD deficiency (<20ng/mL) and insufficiency (20–30ng/mL). Plasma concentrations and liver function (Child–Pugh and MELD) at the end of treatment were compared with baseline data.

Results

Deficient or insufficient VD levels were found in 87% of the patients, with an average concentration of 18.8ng/mL. Levels were lower in patients with cirrhosis (15.9ng/mL) (p=0.002) and in alcoholic liver disease. VD levels were inversely proportional to the degree of liver function: Child A (16.52ng/mL) vs Child C (7.75ng/mL).

After VD supplementation, optimal serum levels were achieved in 94% of patients and significant improvements were observed in

  • platelet count,

  • albumin levels (p<0.05) and

  • functional status assessed by the Child–Pugh scale (p<0.05).

Conclusion

Given the high prevalence of VD deficiency or insufficiency, the need for screening should be considered in the population with CLD. VD supplementation could be safe and effective.

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