1. Vitamin D deficiency is associated with hepatic decompensation and inflammation in patients with liver cirrhosis: A prospective cohort study.
- Author
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Alica Kubesch, Leonie Quenstedt, Maged Saleh, Sabrina Rüschenbaum, Katharina Schwarzkopf, Yolanda Martinez, Christoph Welsch, Stefan Zeuzem, Tania M Welzel, and Christian M Lange
- Subjects
Medicine ,Science - Abstract
BACKGROUND:Vitamin D is required to maintain the integrity of the intestinal barrier and inhibits inflammatory signaling pathways. OBJECTIVE:Vitamin D deficiency might be involved in cirrhosis-associated systemic inflammation and risk of hepatic decompensation in patients with liver cirrhosis. METHODS:Outpatients of the Hepatology Unit of the University Hospital Frankfurt with advanced liver fibrosis and cirrhosis were prospectively enrolled. 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25(OH)D3) serum concentrations were quantified and associated with markers of systemic inflammation / intestinal bacterial translocation and hepatic decompensation. RESULTS:A total of 338 patients with advanced liver fibrosis or cirrhosis were included. Of those, 51 patients (15%) were hospitalized due to hepatic decompensation during follow-up. Overall, 72 patients (21%) had severe vitamin D deficiency. However, patients receiving vitamin D supplements had significantly higher 25(OH)D3 serum levels compared to patients without supplements (37 ng/mL vs. 16 ng/ml, P
- Published
- 2018
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