88 percent of Intestinal failures had both low vitamin D and low bone density – Feb 2013

High prevalence of vitamin D deficiency and osteoporosis in out-patients with intestinal failure.

Clin Nutr. 2013 Feb 21. pii: S0261-5614(13)00051-4. doi: 10.1016/j.clnu.2013.02.005
Ellegård L, Kurlberg G, Bosaeus I.
Department of Clinical Nutrition, Sahlgrenska University Hospital, Göteborg, Sweden. Electronic address: lasse.ellegard at nutrition.gu.se.

BACKGROUND: In intestinal failure, specific nutrient deficiencies especially for fat-soluble vitamins can be expected in addition to energy-protein malnutrition. We report serum levels of fat soluble vitamins, and bone density in out-patients with intestinal failure (IF).

METHODS: 106 outpatients with IF were assessed during routine visits. 78 patients underwent DXA-scan for bone density. Vitamin D levels < 50 nmol/l were defined as deficiency, and 75-150 as optimal. Vitamin A and E deficiencies were defined as <1.0 and <14 μmol/l respectively. INR ≥ 1.2 without liver disease or anti-vitamin K therapy was classified as vitamin K deficiency.

RESULTS: Mean serum vitamin D level was 45 nmol/l at first visit, and 64 nmol/l at follow up (n = 76, p = 0.0001 by paired t-test). Overall prevalence of vitamin D deficiency was 67%.

Only 12% of all patients had optimal D-vitamin status. 88% of assessed patients had low bone density.

12% had subnormal vitamin A levels and 25% had subnormal vitamin E levels. 32% had abnormal INR values. At follow up 34% remained vitamin D deficient whereas 29% had optimal levels. By oral substitution, vitamin A and E status were normalised, and K status improved.

CONCLUSION: Vitamin D deficiency and osteoporosis are common in outpatients with intestinal failure, and should be adequately substituted.

Copyright © 2013 Elsevier Ltd and European Society for Clinical Nutrition and Metabolism. All rights reserved.

PMID: 23481225

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Strange that they supplemented with Vitamin A and Vitamin E, but not Vitamin D. which was the most deficient.

See also VitaminDWiki

• Overview Gut and vitamin D
• 70 percent of people with IBS had symptoms relieved with high dose vitamin D – 2012
• IBD in Finland – 3X increase in 15 years, more prevalent further from equator – Nov 2012
• Gut doctors becoming aware of importance of vitamin D – May 2012 - but apparently not the gut doctors in the study on this page
• Vitamin D might reduce military costs for UC and CD – June 2011
• All items in category gut and vitamin D 213 items
• 6500 IU vitamin D not improve bone density without co-factors – Jan 2012
• Vitamin D, K2, Magnesium, etc increase bone density when taking together– Jan 2012