Prevalence of vitamin- D deficiency in newly diagnosed Pulmonary Tuberculosis cases in South India- A tertiary care hospital based cross sectional study

Abstract

Background

Tuberculosis remains a significant global health concern, with a disproportionate burden in developing countries.

Vitamin D plays a crucial role in the immune system's response to Mycobacterium tuberculosis, the causative agent

of tuberculosis. Vitamin D is known to be involved in the activation of immune cells, such as macrophages, that are

responsible for the phagocytosis and destruction of the tuberculosis pathogen.

Methodology

This cross-sectional study conducted at a tertiary care hospital in south India, to assess the association between

vitamin D and Pulmonary tuberculosis. We included 100 newly diagnosed Pulmonary tuberculosis cases meeting

the inclusion and exclusion criteria. Their vitamin D levels were assessed before starting them on ATT (anti –

tubercular treatment) according to NTEP (National tuberculosis elimination programme). Also, its association with

severity of diseases – assessed with sputum smear severity and chest x-ray involvement.

Results

We found that 72% (72 out of 100) of the patients were deficient (<20 ng/mL), 20% (20 out of 100) were insufficient

(21–29 ng/mL), and 8% (8 out of 100) had sufficient levels (?30 ng/mL), showed the high prevalence of vitamin D

deficiency, emphasizing the need for screening and possible supplementation. It also shows significant association

between vitamin D deficiency and sputum smear severity (p value <0.001).

Conclusion

We suggest conducting more studies in the south Indian population and to include screening of vitamin D levels in

the NTEP programme.