Vitamin D deficiency as a risk factor for allergic disorders and immune mechanisms

Vitamin D deficiency (VDD) has been reported in very high rates in the U.S. population. Deficiency has been implicated in various diseases such as diabetes, high blood pressure, cardiovascular disease, and many cancers. It has also been implicated in several allergic disorders and immune system dysregulation. The National Health and Nutrition examination survey (NHANES) in 2005-2006 was a cross-sectional survey performed in the noninstitutionalized population of the United States by the Center for Disease Control and Prevention and National Center for Health Statistics. It consists of an extensive interview performed at home and an examination performed at a mobile center. An allergy questionnaire was provided as interview data on self-reported allergic diseases including allergic rhinitis, allergies, and atopic dermatitis. Data were collected using the question, "Has the doctor or other health professional ever told you that you have allergies?" The laboratory parameter of vitamin D < 10 ng/mL was used to define severe VDD. The data were analyzed by logistic regression with SAS Version 9.1 (SAS Institute, Inc., Cary, NC) using the Procedure survey methods. Of 10,348 people who participated in the 2005-2006 NHANES survey, our final sample consisted of 4979 people in whom serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D levels were completed after excluding subjects <20 years of age and those with missing vitamin D values. The VDD was positively correlated with prevalence of allergies. After adjusting the model for age, gender, race, smoking, alcohol, and educational status, the odds ratio still remained significant. There was also a positive correlation with allergy subtypes such as prevalence of rashes, sneezing, and sinus infections with low vitamin D. VDD related to the immune system dysregulation has been extensively reviewed.     

Microalbuminuria as a screening tool in cystic fibrosis-related diabetes

The improving longevity of cystic fibrosis (CF) subjects has resulted in an increased prevalence and duration of cystic fibrosis-related diabetes (CFRD). Microvascular complications were reported in CFRD. Microalbuminuria is well-established as a sensitive indicator of progression to diabetic nephropathy in non-CF diabetes, but confounding factors may make it less sensitive for CF subjects. We performed a cross-sectional study to look for the presence of microalbuminuria in samples from 40 CF subjects (34 without diabetes; CFND) attending the Exeter CF Clinic, compared with 43 nondiabetic, non-CF controls. The albumin-creatinine ratio (ACR) was raised in CF subjects both with (P < 0.001) and without (P < 0.0001) diabetes compared to controls. This reflected an increase in urinary albumin and a reduction in urinary creatinine in CF subjects. In single samples, microalbuminuria was present in 66.7%, 32.4%, and 15.4% of subjects in CFRD, CFND, and control groups. Repeat samples showed that 12% of CFND subjects and 17% of CFRD subjects met the criteria for a diagnosis of persistent microalbuminuria. In conclusion, CF subjects, even when not diabetic, have increased urinary albumin excretion due to chronic infection, and reduced urinary creatinine excretion due to low muscle mass. This results in subjects, who are not developing diabetic nephropathy, meeting the conventional criteria for microalbuminuria. We feel that further studies are required to clarify whether this measure is a useful tool to predict progression to diabetic nephropathy in subjects with CFRD.     

Vitamin D deficiency: a risk factor for osteomalacia in the aged

Deficiency of vitamin D is rare in the general population of the North American continent because of the availability of sunlight, vitamin D-fortified milk, and over-the-counter preparations containing the vitamin. Yet there are among the aged those who are at risk of developing a deficiency of the vitamin because of lack of exposure to sunlight and failure to ingest milk or vitamin supplements containing vitamin D. Four cases of vitamin D-deficiency osteomalacia are described, demonstrating the various findings in the patient history and the physical, radiologic, and laboratory evaluation. In all cases physiologic doses of the vitamin corrected the abnormality quickly and fully. Vitamin D deficiency can be prevented prophylactically once the gerontologist is alert to the fact that some elderly people, who are easily identifiable by history alone, are likely to develop such deficiencies.     

Presence of cystic fibrosis-related diabetes mellitus is tightly linked to poor lung function in patients with cystic fibrosis: data from the European Epidemiologic Registry of Cystic Fibrosis

Data derived from a cross-sectional analysis of 7,566 patients stratified into six age groups were used to compare lung function, body mass index (BMI), and weight for age in patients with and without cystic fibrosis-related diabetes mellitus (CFDM). The presence of CFDM was tightly linked to poor lung function, regardless of age. The mean value of FEV(1) % predicted in the age groups < 10, 10-< 15, 15-< 20, 20-< 25, 25-< 30, and 30 years or older were 87%, 77%, 69%, 58%, 55%, and 53% in the nondiabetic cystic fibrosis (CF) patients as compared to 79%, 66%, 55%, 49%, 46%, and 44% in the diabetic CF patients. BMI and weight for age were also lower in diabetic than nondiabetic CF patients in all age groups, except for BMI in the youngest patients. The difference in lung function and in nutritional parameters between diabetic and nondiabetic CF patients was not linked to presence or absence of any specific pathogen in the lower respiratory tract. These results confirm and extend those of earlier studies in smaller numbers of patients, and they clearly identify CFDM as a powerful determinant of severe lung disease and reduced survival in patients with CF and diabetes mellitus.     

Nutritional Status in Childhood as a Prognostic Factor in Patients with Cystic Fibrosis

Lung - There is a strong association between cystic fibrosis and malnutrition, mainly because of the higher energy needs combined with lower intake. There is also a well-established correlation...     

Marginal association of fasting blood glucose with the risk of cystic fibrosis-related diabetes

ObjectivesCystic fibrosis-related diabetes (CFRD) may be diagnosed by fasting blood glucose ≥ 7.0 mmol/L and/or glucose ≥ 11.1 mmol/L following oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT). We compared the role of fasting and stimulated glucose for diagnosis of CFRD.MethodsWe performed a cross-sectional review of the prevalence of fasting glycemic abnormalities and Kaplan-Meier survival analysis of risk of progression to CFRD according to baseline fasting glucose in the prospective Montreal Cystic Fibrosis Cohort.ResultsIsolated fasting hyperglycemia was detected in only 8% of participants at study onset. Eighty percent of subjects had isolated post-challenge hyperglycemia on their first OGTT meeting criteria for CFRD. Kaplan Meier survival analysis demonstrated that impaired fasting glucose (IFG) alone is not a risk factor for CFRD. Subjects with combined IFG and impaired glucose tolerance at baseline (IGT) had the highest risk of progression to CFRD.ConclusionPost-prandial elevations in blood glucose are more common at diagnosis of CFRD. While IGT is a significant risk factor for CFRD, IFG alone is uncommon and does not increase the risk of CFRD. Patients with both IGT and IFG have the highest risk of CFRD.     

囊性纤维化相关性糖尿病临床诊治指南

囊性纤维化相关性糖尿病(CFRD)是囊性纤维化(CF)的并发症,主要由胰岛素分泌不足引起,在青少年和成人中的发病率分别为20％和40％～50％。本指南由美国糖尿病协会(ADA)、囊性纤维瘤基金会(CFF)和儿童内分泌学会共同发布,包括CFRD的筛查、诊断和治疗。     

囊性纤维化相关性糖尿病临床诊治指南

囊性纤维化相关性糖尿病(CFRD)是囊性纤维化(CF)的并发症,主要由胰岛素分泌不足引起,在青少年和成人中的发病率分别为20％和40％～50％。本指南由美国糖尿病协会(ADA)、囊性纤维瘤基金会(CFF)和儿童内分泌学会共同发布,包括CFRD的筛查、诊断和治疗。     

Microvascular complications in cystic fibrosis-related diabetes mellitus: a case report

CONTEXT, The prevalence of cystic fibrosis-related diabetes mellitus is increasing and is associated with increased survival from cystic fibrosis. CASE REPORT, This study describes a case of the premature onset of disabling and widespread microvascular complications resulting from cystic fibrosis-related diabetes mellitus. Previously asymptomatic retinopathy was diagnosed on recognition of diabetic nephropathy. CONCLUSIONS, The treatment of pulmonary exacerbations has become more complex due to the nephrotoxic potential of intravenous aminoglycoside drugs which are frequently used to control chronic Pseudomonas infection in cystic fibrosis.     

Factors Contributing to Vitamin D Status at Hospital Admission for Pulmonary Exacerbation in Adults With Cystic Fibrosis

BackgroundIndividuals with cystic fibrosis (CF) have difficulty maintaining optimal vitamin D status due to pancreatic insufficiency-induced malabsorption, inadequate sunlight exposure, and poor intake of vitamin D containing foods. Vitamin D deficiency may increase the risk of pulmonary exacerbations of CF. The objective of this study was to assess factors impacting vitamin D status in patients with CF recently hospitalized for a pulmonary exacerbation of CF.MethodsThis was a pre-planned analysis of vitamin D intake in patients enrolled in a multi-center, double-blind, randomized controlled study examining vitamin D therapy for pulmonary exacerbation of CF. Demographic information, responses from a habitual sun exposure questionnaire and food frequency questionnaire, and vitamin D supplement usage were queried and compared to serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25(OH)D) concentrations.ResultsA total of 48 subjects were included in this analysis. Subjects were taking approximately 1,200 IU of vitamin D daily. Reported vitamin D intake, age, race, employment, and education were not significantly associated with vitamin D status in this population. However, smoking status, sunlight exposure in the last 3 years, and skin type (in the bivariate model) were all significantly associated with vitamin D status (all p<0.05).ConclusionsSunlight exposure was the most predictive determinant of vitamin D status in patients with CF prior to pulmonary exacerbation. Subjects reported vitamin D intake below the recommended amounts. The role and mode of optimizing vitamin D status prior to a pulmonary exacerbation needs further investigation.     

Vitamin D deficiency as a risk factor for the development of autoantibodies in patients with ASIA and silicone breast implants: a cohort study and review of the literature

The development of autoimmunity and/or autoimmune diseases is multifactorial. Vitamin D is one of the factors that might play a role. We postulated that both the presence of adjuvants and insufficient levels of vitamin D may result in the development of autoimmunity in patients with autoimmune/inflammatory syndrome induced by adjuvants (ASIA) in relation to silicone implant incompatibility. We measured vitamin D levels in 135 patients with ASIA in relation to silicone implant incompatibility and related findings to the presence of autoantibodies that are commonly used to diagnose systemic autoimmune diseases. Furthermore, we systematically reviewed the literature regarding vitamin D deficiency as a risk factor for the development of autoantibodies. Vitamin D measurements were available for analysis in 131 of 135 patients with ASIA in relation to SIIS. Twenty-three patients (18%) tested positive for autoantibodies, from which 18 patients (78%) had either a vitamin D deficiency or insufficiency (median vitamin D level 60.5 mmol/L), whereas five patients (22%) had sufficient vitamin D levels. The risk to develop autoantibodies was significantly increased in vitamin D deficient and/or insufficient patients [RR 3.14; 95% CI, 1.24–7.95; p = 0.009]. Reviewed literature suggested an association between vitamin D levels and the presence and/or titer levels of autoantibodies in different autoimmune diseases. From our current study and from our review of the literature, we conclude that vitamin D deficiency is related to the presence of autoantibodies. Whether vitamin D supplementation results in a decrease of autoimmunity needs to be studied prospectively.     

Vitamin D deficiency in patients with diabetes and COVID- 19 infection

Background and aimsData show that vitamin D deficiency may play a role in patients with diabetes mellitus and COVID-19 infection. In this article, we review evidence of vitamin D deficiency and COVID-19 infection in context of diabetes mellitus.MethodsA literature search was carried out by using the key term ‘COVID 19’ combined with ‘Diabetes’, ‘Vitamin D’, ‘Extra skeletal effects’, ‘immunity’, ‘infection’, ‘India’ from Pub Med (National Library of Medicine, Bethesda, MD and Google Scholar from December 2019 to May 2020. A manual search of the references was also carried out.ResultsVitamin D deficiency has been linked to increased morbidity and mortality in COVID -19 infections but convincing data on diabetic subgroup of patients in particular is still awaited.ConclusionRobust studies are required to ascertain if Vitamin D supplementation could be beneficial in patients with diabetes and COVID-19.     

Vitamin D deficiency in children and adolescents with type 1 diabetes

Objective: To investigate the frequency and effects of vitamin D deficiency in children with type 1 diabetes (T1D) in a region which is known to have a high rate of vitamin D deficiency among adolescents. Methods: In this prospective cross-sectional study, 120 children and adolescents with T1D (55 girls and 65 boys) aged 3-20 years were evaluated. Serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D [25(OH)D], parathormone (PTH), and alkaline phosphatase (ALP) levels were measured. Hemoglobin A1c levels and daily insulin requirement were also evaluated. Classification of vitamin D status was made according to the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP)/LWEPS’s recommendations. The patients were divided into 2 groups according to their vitamin D status and also according to the season of the year in which 25(OH)D sampling was done. Results: Serum 25(OH)D levels revealed vitamin D deficiency or insufficiency in 38% of the patients. Higher PTH levels were found in the patient group whose mean 25(OH)D level was <20 ng/mL as compared to the group whose mean 25(OH)D level was >20 ng/mL (p<0.05). Only 11% of patients had secondary hyperparathyroidism. The 25(OH)D levels of patients whose serum samples were taken in summer and spring months were significantly different (p<0.05). There were no significant correlationsbetween 25(OH)D level and daily insulin dose. Conclusion: Although we could not show a significant association between vitamin D deficiency and metabolic parameters, the frequency of vitamin D deficiency in T1D children is substantial. Vitamin D status should be assessed also in patients who do not have signs of rickets.Conflict of interest:None declared.