Vitamin D3 contributes to the clinical statues of chronic hepatitis B patients. - GreenMedInfo Summary

Background and Aims: During recent years, the relationship between vitamin D levels and chronic hepatitis B (CHB) infection has attracted many researchers' attention. However, the results relating to the association of vitamin D levels and HBV infection have been conflicting and there remains a lack of knowledge about the effects of antiviral treatments on vitamin D level. Methods: Eighty-four patients with CHB were assessed and divided into three groups: inactive carriers (n = 28), treated (n = 34), and new (treatment-naïve) cases (n = 22). Thirty-two healthy controls (HCs) were included to enable comparison with the CHB groups. The levels of vitamin D3 were measured and statistically compared among the various groups. Results: Male subjects had higher levels of vitamin D3 (41.25 vs 28.85, p<0.01). No association was found among any of the groups when compared with the HC group. Despite the significant association, the HCs demonstrated a higher level of vitamin D3, which was lower in the treated group, the inactive carrier group, and the new cases group (new case [29.82]