Vitamin D deficiency among new diagnosed tuberculosis patients in Sudan

Tuberculosis infection has been associated with vitamin D deficiency, previous studies suggest relationships between low levels of vitamin D and the incidence and severity of tuberculosis. Although individuals living in Sudan have a continuous exposure to sunlight, the source of vitamin D, tuberculosis is still one of the major health problem in the country. Vitamin D play a major role in the function of the macrophage, key factor in host resistance to tuberculosis. The objective of this study was to determine the prevalence of vitamin D deficiency in newly diagnosed tuberculosis (TB) patients compared to healthy cohort. This is a hospital based case control study, conducted at Alshaab hospital. Blood samples were collected from new diagnosed smear positive pulmonary TB patients, and community controls. Serum 25(OH)-vitamin D3 was determined by an Enzyme Linked Immunosorbent Assay technique. A serum level of 25(OH)-vitamin D3 below < 20 ng/ml was defined as vitamin D deficiency. The prevalence of vitamin D deficiency was found to be higher in TB patients (89.3%) than in community controls (57.2%, P = 0.004). The mean 25(OH) vitamin D3 level of TB patients was significantly lower (21.76 ± 3.3 ng/ml) than community healthy controls (30.5 ± 2.91 ng/ml, P = 0.005). Vitamin D was found to be the lowest in patients with severe symptoms, and in patients who were subjected or exposed to Tb risk factors such as smoking or consuming poor vitamin D dietary. Conclusion: Vitamin D deficiency was found to be prevalent among new diagnosed TB patients. More studies are needed to determine the effect of vitamin D supplementation in the prevention and management of tuberculosis in Sudan. Keywords: key words, Vitamin D; deficiency; tuberculosis; Sudan DOI: 10.7176/JBAH/9-24-08 Publication date: December 31st 201