scholarly journals The Impact of COVID-19 Pandemic during 2020–2021 on the Vitamin D Serum Levels in the Paediatric Population in Warsaw, Poland

Nutrients ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (6) ◽  
pp. 1990
Author(s):  
Agnieszka Rustecka ◽  
Justyna Maret ◽  
Ada Drab ◽  
Michalina Leszczyńska ◽  
Agata Tomaszewska ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Vitamin D ◽  
Seasonal Variability ◽  
Serum Levels ◽  
Paediatric Population ◽  
Sunlight Exposure ◽  
Vitamin D Levels ◽  
The Mean ◽  
Group 2 ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Group 1

Background: The main source of vitamin D is skin synthesis, which depends on sunlight exposure. During the pandemic, COVID-19 children were obliged to home confinement, which potentially limiting sunlight exposure. The aim of this study was to evaluate whether home confinement led to decreased vitamin D serum levels in children in Warsaw, Poland. Methods: The study included 1472 children who were divided into two groups, based on the date of 25(OH)D level blood sampling: before and during the pandemic. Children under 1 year of age (infants) were analysed separately. Results: A statistically significant decrease in the average level of vitamin D was observed between groups of children over 1 year of age (35 ng/mL ± 18 vs. 31 ng/mL ± 14). In infants from both groups, the mean vitamin D levels were within the normal range (Group 1 inf 54 ng/mL ± 21 vs. Group 2 inf 47 ng/mL ± 15). The characteristic seasonal variability was observed before the pandemic, with maximal vitamin D levels in summer (40 ng/mL ± 17) and minimal levels in winter (30 ng/mL ± 14). During the pandemic, no seasonal variability was observed (summer 30 ng/mL ± 11 vs. winter 30 ng/mL ± 19). Conclusions: The COVID-19 pandemic restrictions led to a significant decrease in vitamin D serum levels in children.

Can YKL-40 be an Inflammatory Biomarker in Vitamin D Deficiency?

2019 ◽  
Vol 89 (5-6) ◽  
pp. 309-313
Author(s):  
Ummugulsum Can ◽  
Saliha Uysal ◽  
Ayse Ruveyda Ugur ◽  
Aysun Toker ◽  
Uysaler Aslan ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Vitamin D ◽  
Vitamin D Deficiency ◽  
Serum Levels ◽  
Normal Serum ◽  
Plasma Vitamin ◽  
Inflammatory Biomarker ◽  
Vitamin D Levels ◽  
Group 2 ◽  
Hs Crp ◽  
Group 1

Abstract. Vitamin D deficiency is associated with several non-homeostatic conditions and/or diseases like inflammation, atherosclerosis, cardiovascular disease and mortality. YKL-40 is a glycoprotein, secreted by macrophages, neutrophils and different cell types and it is also associated with inflammation and pathological tissue remodeling. In this study, we aimed to evaluate relationship between the proinflammatory biomarkers YKL-40 and hs-CRP levels and vitamin D deficiency. Our study group includes 45 subjects with vitamin D deficiency (Group 1) (20 M, 25 F; mean age 37.72 ± 7.70 years) and 40 age and sex-matched healthy subjects with normal serum levels of vitamin D (Group 2) (19 M, 21 F; mean age 39.26 ± 7.41 years). Plasma 25 (OH) vitamin D levels were measured by liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) method. Plasma YKL-40 analysis was performed by ELISA. Serum hs-CRP levels were measured by nephelometric method. Plasma vitamin D levels below 20 ng/mL were accepted as vitamin D deficiency. Although we could not find any significant differences by means of serum hs-CRP levels between Group 1 and Group 2 (2.21 (0.27–11.70); 1.79 (0.16–9.85) mg/L, p = 0.247), plasma YKL-40 levels were significantly higher in group 1 than group2 (70.47 (17.84–198.50); 47.14 (4.80–135.48) ng/mL, p = 0.047). In literature, vitamin D deficiency is associated with inflammation. In our study, we found similar hs-CRP levels between groups and higher YKL-40 levels in group 1. Vitamin D deficiency may be related to high YKL-40 levels in terms of causing chronic inflammation.

scholarly journals Relationship between the Severity of Inflammatory Changes in Chronic Sinusitis and the Level of Vitamin D before and after the FESS Procedure

2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (13) ◽  
pp. 2836
Author(s):  
Paulina Kalińczak-Górna ◽  
Kamil Radajewski ◽  
Paweł Burduk
Keyword(s):  
Vitamin D ◽  
Chronic Sinusitis ◽  
Study Groups ◽  
New Information ◽  
Vitamin D Levels ◽  
Before And After ◽  
The Mean ◽  
Group 2 ◽  
Severity Of The Disease ◽  
Group 1

There have been a few reports confirming that vitamin D (VD3) deficiency increases inflammation in the paranasal sinuses. The work brings new information that, despite the presence of inflammation before surgery, patients with higher vitamin D levels had less inflammation, and this has been proven on three levels. We show that vitamin D levels clearly correlate with the severity of the disease in chronic sinusitis. These results have been confirmed in imaging studies (Lund MacKay scale), endoscopy (Lund-Kennedy scale) and in the SNOT 20 questionnaire. 40 patients suffering from chronic sinusitis were divided into two equal groups: group 1: with less severe radiological changes (10 or less points on the Lund-Mackay scale), group 2: with a more advanced form (>10 points). The relationship between VD3 and the severity of the disease (clinical and nasal endoscopy) was assessed. The mean VD3 level in patients in group 2 before surgery was lower (23.01 ng/mL) than in group 1 (28.02 ng/mL) (p < 0.05). They presented a higher degree of advanced changes in all the above scales, i.e., before the SNOT 20 procedure, the mean was: group 1: 30.33, group 2: 31.80 (p < NS); Lund-Kennedy: group 1: 3.21, group 2: 6.30 (p < 0.05). After surgery an increase in VD3 levels was observed in both study groups: in group 1 to the value of 37.98 ng/mL (p < 0.002) and in group 2 to 27.67 ng/mL (p < 0.004). Lower VD3 levels were found in patients with a higher stage of the disease. Reduction of inflammation increases the level of VD3 and reduces subjective and objective symptoms of chronic inflammation.

scholarly journals The psychotropic effect of vitamin D supplementation on schizophrenia symptoms

2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Aras Neriman ◽  
Yilmaz Hakan ◽  
Ucuncu Ozge
Keyword(s):  
Vitamin D ◽  
Negative Symptoms ◽  
Metabolic Diseases ◽  
Wisconsin Card Sorting Test ◽  
Sunlight Exposure ◽  
Antipsychotic Treatment ◽  
Serum 25Ohd ◽  
Vitamin D Receptors ◽  
Vitamin D Levels ◽  
The Mean

Abstract Background Schizophrenia is a multifactorial disease involving interactions between genetic and environmental factors. Vitamin D has recently been linked to many metabolic diseases and schizophrenia. Vitamin D plays essential roles in the brain in the context of neuroplasticity, neurotransmitter biosynthesis, neuroprotection, and neurotransmission. Vitamin D receptors are demonstrated in most brain regions that are related to schizophrenia. However, very few studies in the literature examine the effects of 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25OHD) on schizophrenia symptoms. Methods This study aimed to examine the effects of vitamin D replacement on positive, negative, and cognitive symptoms of schizophrenia. Serum 25OHD levels of 52 schizophrenia patients were measured. SANS and SAPS were used to evaluate the severity of schizophrenia symptoms, and the Wisconsin Card Sorting Test: CV4 was used for cognitive assessment. The study was completed with 40 patients for various reasons. The patients whose serum 25OHD reached optimal levels after vitamin D replacement were reevaluated with the same scales in terms of symptom severity. The SPSS 25 package program was used for statistical analysis. The Independent-Samples t-test was used to examine the relationship between the variables that may affect vitamin D levels and the vitamin D level and to examine whether vitamin D levels had an initial effect on the scale scores. Results The mean plasma 25OHD levels of the patients was 17.87 ± 5.54. A statistically significant relationship was found only between the duration of sunlight exposure and 25 OHD level (p < 0.05). The mean SANS and SAPS scores of the participants after 25OHD replacement (23.60 ± 15.51 and 7.78 ± 8.84, respectively) were statistically significantly lower than mean SANS and SAPS scores before replacement (51.45 ± 17.96 and 18.58 ± 15.59, respectively) (p < 0.001 for all). Only the total attention score was significantly improved after replacement (p < 0.05). Conclusion The data obtained from our study suggest that eliminating the 25OHD deficiency together with antipsychotic treatment can improve the total attention span and positive and negative symptoms in schizophrenia. The 25OHD levels should be regularly measured, replacement should be started when necessary, and the patients should be encouraged to get sunlight exposure to keep optimal 25OHD levels.

scholarly journals No correlation was observed between vitamin D levels and disability of patients with multiple sclerosis between latitudes 18° and 30° South

2017 ◽  
Vol 75 (1) ◽  
pp. 3-8 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yara Dadalti Fragoso ◽  
Tarso Adoni ◽  
Soniza Vieira Alves-Leon ◽  
Samira L. Apostolos-Pereira ◽  
Walter Oleschko Arruda ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Multiple Sclerosis ◽  
Vitamin D ◽  
Large Population ◽  
Serum Vitamin ◽  
Serum Levels ◽  
Serum Vitamin D ◽  
Control Subjects ◽  
Vitamin D Levels ◽  
The Mean ◽  
25 Oh Vitamin D

ABSTRACT Objective: Vitamin D has taken center stage in research and treatment of multiple sclerosis (MS). The objective of the present study was to assess the serum vitamin D levels of a large population of patients with MS and controls living in a restricted tropical area. Methods: Data from 535 patients with MS and 350 control subjects were obtained from 14 cities around the Tropic of Capricorn. Results: The mean serum 25-OH vitamin D level was 26.07 ± 10.27 ng/mL for the control subjects, and 28.03 ± 12.19 ng/mL for patients with MS. No correlation was observed between vitamin D levels and the disability of patients over the disease duration. Conclusion: At least for the region around the Tropic of Capricorn, serum levels of vitamin D typically are within the range of 20 to 30 ng/mL for controls and patients with MS.

scholarly journals Revisiting conventional adenoidectomy using technology

2020 ◽  
Vol 6 (7) ◽  
pp. 1232
Author(s):  
Kiran Gangadhar S. ◽  
Sonee Thingujam ◽  
Jayita Poduval
Keyword(s):  
Blood Loss ◽  
Paediatric Population ◽  
Lateral View ◽  
Respiratory Pathogens ◽  
Moderate Degree ◽  
Ventilation Tubes ◽  
The Mean ◽  
Group 2 ◽  
Mean Time ◽  
Group 1

<p class="abstract"><strong>Background:</strong> Adenoidectomy is one of the most frequently applied surgical procedures in the paediatric population, either alone or in conjunction with tonsillectomy and/or insertion of ventilation tubes. The main purpose of the adenoidectomy is to eliminate the nasopharyngeal respiratory pathogens and to remove nasal airway obstruction. Aim of the study was to compare the outcomes of conventional and endoscopic assisted curettage adenoidectomy.</p><p class="abstract"><strong>Methods:</strong> In this comparative study, 50 patients were divided into 2 groups. Group 1 (25 patients) underwent endoscopic curettage adenoidectomy and group 2 (25 patients) underwent conventional curettage adenoidectomy. Intraoperative time, complications and postoperative pain were recorded.  </p><p class="abstract"><strong>Results:</strong> 72% in group 1 and 64% in group 2 had grade 2 adenoid hypertrophy. 68% in group 1 and 64% in group 2 had a moderate degree of obstruction in lateral view of soft tissue X-ray nasopharynx. The mean time taken for surgery in group 1 was 13.29±3.28 minutes, and in group 2,6.28±2.31 minutes. Minimal loss of blood was recorded in group 1 with less than 20 ml, whereas in group 2, the blood loss was high; 30% of patients had blood loss more than 30 ml. In group 1, the mean VAS was 3.25 and 2.55 in group 2 2.55. In group 1, 4% of patients had primary haemorrhage and in group 2, 8% of patients had primary haemorrhage. No patient had velopharyngeal dysfunction in either group.</p><p class="abstract"><strong>Conclusions:</strong> More operative time but less blood loss were noted in endoscopic adenoidectomy. Intraoperative visualisation of the nasopharynx in endoscopic procedures showed no significant advantage over conventional adenoidectomy.</p>

Patient Access to Hepatitis C Treatment After Incorporation of Pharmacists in a Hepatology Clinic

2021 ◽  
pp. 001857872110375
Author(s):  
Frank A. Fanizza ◽  
Jennifer Loucks ◽  
Angelica Berni ◽  
Meera Shah ◽  
Dennis Grauer ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Hepatitis C ◽  
Medication Adherence ◽  
Hcv Treatment ◽  
Clinical Pharmacists ◽  
The Mean ◽  
Group 2 ◽  
Cure Rates ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Mean Time ◽  
Group 1

Background: Modern hepatitis C virus (HCV) treatment regimens yield cure rates greater than 90%. However, obtaining approval for treatment through the prior authorization (PA) process can be time consuming and require extensive documentation. Lack of experience with this complex process can delay HCV medication approval, ultimately increasing the amount of time before patients start treatment and in some cases, prevent treatment altogether. Objectives: Assess the impact of incorporating clinical pharmacists into specialty pharmacy and hepatology clinic services on medication access, patient adherence, and outcomes in patients being treated for HCV. Methods: We performed a retrospective cohort exploratory study of patients seen in an academic medical center hepatology clinic who had HCV prescriptions filled between 8/1/15 and 7/31/17. Patients were categorized by whether they filled prescriptions prior to (Pre-Group) or after (Post-Group) the implementation of a pharmacist in clinic. The Post-Group was further divided according to whether the patient was seen by a pharmacist in clinic (Post-Group 2) or if the patient was not seen by the pharmacist, but had their HCV therapy evaluated by the pharmacist before seeking insurance approval (Post-Group 1). Results: The mean time from the prescription being ordered to being dispensed was longer in the Pre-Group (50.8 ± 66.5 days) compared to both Post-Groups (22.2 ± 27.8 days in Post-Group 1 vs 18.9 ± 17.7 days in Post-Group 2; P < .05). The mean time from when the prescription was ordered to when the PA was submitted was longer in the Pre-Group (41.6 ± 71.9 days) compared to both Post-Groups (6.3 ± 16 in Post-Group 1 vs 4.1 ± 9.7 in Post-Group 2; P < .05). Rates of medication adherence and sustained virologic response were similar between all groups. Conclusion: Incorporation of clinical pharmacists into a hepatology clinic significantly reduced the time patients waited to start HCV treatment. In addition to improving access to medications, implementation of the model helped to maintain excellent medication adherence and cure rates.

scholarly journals Vitamin D assessment in perioperative medicine and critical care

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Paul Zajic ◽  
Stefan Heschl ◽  
Michael Schörghuber ◽  
Petra Srekl-Filzmaier ◽  
Tatjana Stojakovic ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Vitamin D ◽  
Vitamin D Deficiency ◽  
False Positive Rate ◽  
Fluid Loading ◽  
Vitamin D Levels ◽  
Positive Rate ◽  
25 Hydroxy Vitamin D ◽  
The Mean ◽  
Clinical Trials Registry ◽  
The Impact

Summary Background There is controversy about the impact of acute illness on vitamin D levels. This study was carried out to assess the influence of perioperative fluid loading on 25-hydroxy-vitamin D [25(OH)D] levels. The study evaluated the clinical utility of a commonly available chemiluminescence assay (ECLIA, IDS-iSYS) and liquid chromatography/mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) in the diagnosis of vitamin D deficiency in this setting. Methods In this prospective observational pilot study in adult patients undergoing cardiovascular surgery on cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB), blood samples drawn at preoperative baseline (t1), after weaning from CPB (t2), on intensive care unit (ICU) admission (t3) and on the first (t4) and second (t5) postoperative days were analyzed. Results A total of 26 patients (130 samples) were included in this study. Fluid loading by CPB led to a median reduction of 25(OH)D by −22.6% (range −54.5% to −19.5%) between t1 and t2. Cohen’s kappa (κ) for method agreement for vitamin D deficiency (tested cut-off values 20 ng/ml and 12 ng/ml), was κ = 0.291 (p < 0.001) and κ = 0.469 (p < 0.001), respectively. The mean difference between measurements by ECLIA and LC-MS/MS was 4.8 ng/ml (±5.7), Pearson’s r for correlation was 0.73 (p < 0.001). The biologically inactive C3-epimer did not contribute to 25(OH)D levels assessed by LC-MS/MS. Conclusion The 25(OH)D measurements by chemiluminescence assays can noticeably deviate from those measured by LC-MS/MS, which can be considered the unequivocal gold standard. These assays may still be acceptably reliable in the screening for vitamin D deficiency, especially in the setting of low vitamin D levels. Stricter definitions, e.g. serum 25(OH)D levels lower than 12 ng/ml, may be used to diagnose deficiency with low false positive rate. Trial Registration DRKS00009216, German Clinical Trials Registry (www.drks.de)

Relationship between calcium metabolism and benign paroxysmal positional vertigo in north Sardinia population

2020 ◽  
Vol 30 (6) ◽  
pp. 375-382
Author(s):  
Andrea Melis ◽  
Davide Rizzo ◽  
Roberto Gallus ◽  
Maria Eleonora Leo ◽  
Nicola Turra ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Vitamin D ◽  
Vitamin D Deficiency ◽  
Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo ◽  
High Accuracy ◽  
T Score ◽  
Positional Vertigo ◽  
Vitamin D Levels ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo ◽  
Group 1

BACKGROUND: Benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV) has a reported recurrence ranging from 26.8 to 50%. Osteoporosis and Vitamin D deficiency seems to have an impact on recurrence of BPPV. OBJECTIVE: to evaluate the impact of osteoporosis and Vitamin D deficiency on recurrence of BPPV. METHODS: 73 consecutive patients were divided in two groups according to the presence (group 1) or absence (group 0) of a recurrent episode. BMD, femoral and lumbar T-scores and Vitamin D levels were recorded. Statistical analysis was performed to investigate correlations. RESULTS: patients in group 1 had statistically significant lower values of both femoral (–1,62±1,06 vs. –0,53±1,51; p = 0,001), lumbar T-score (–2,10±1,19 vs –0, 53±1.51, p = 0.001) and Vitamin D (19.53±15.33). The values of femoral T-score and Vitamin D could be combined in a model able to properly classify 65.8% of the cases (p = 0.002) as isolated or recurrent BPPV, with high accuracy (AUC 0.710 [0.590 –0.830]). CONCLUSION: present data show a probable correlation between osteoporosis and Vitamin D with recurrent BPPV.

25-OH-Vitamin-D Deficiency Impairs Rituximab-Mediated Cellular Cytotoxicity and Is Associated With An Inferior Outcome Of Elderly DLBCL Patients Treated With Rituximab

Blood ◽  
2013 ◽  
Vol 122 (21) ◽  
pp. 1819-1819 ◽  
Author(s):  
Joerg Thomas Bittenbring ◽  
Bettina Altmann ◽  
Frank Neumann ◽  
Marina Achenbach ◽  
Joerg Reichrath ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Vitamin D ◽  
Overall Survival ◽  
Vitamin D Deficiency ◽  
Multivariable Analysis ◽  
Serum Levels ◽  
Event Free Survival ◽  
Free Survival ◽  
Vitamin D Levels ◽  
25 Oh Vitamin D ◽  
The Impact

Abstract Background To investigate the impact and underlying mechanisms of vitamin-D-deficiency (VDD) on outcome of elderly (61 to 80 year-old) DLBCL patients. Methods Pretreatment 25-OH-vitamin-D serum levels from 359 patients treated in the prospective multicenter RICOVER-60 trial with 6 or 8 cycles of CHOP-14 with and without 8 cycles rituximab and 63 patients in the RICOVER-noRT study treated with 6xCHOP-14 + 8xR were determined determined by LIASION®, a commercially available chemoluminescent immunoassay. Results RICOVER-60 patients with VDD (defined as serum levels ≤8 ng/m l) and treated with rituximab had a 3-year event-free survival of 59% compared to 79% in patients with >8 ng/ml; 3-year overall survival was 70% and 82%, respectively. These differences were significant in a multivariable analysis adjusting for IPI risk factors with a hazard ratio of 2.1 [p=0.008] for event-free survival and 1.9 [p=0.040] for overall survival. In patients treated without rituximab 3-year EFS was not significantly different in patients with vitamin-D levels ≤8 and >8 ng/ml (HR 1.2; p=0.388). These results were confirmed in an independent validation set of 63 patients treated within the RICOVER-noRT study. Rituximab-mediated cellular toxicity (RMCC) against the CD20+ cell line Daudi as determined by LDH release assay increased significantly (p<0.005) in 5/5 vitamin-D-deficient individuals after vitamin-D substitution and normalization of their vitamin-D levels. Conclusions VDD is a significant risk factor for elderly DLBCL patients treated with rituximab. Our results show that VDD impairs RMCC and that RMCC can be improved by vitamin-D substitution. This together with the differential effect of VDD in patients treated with and without rituximab suggests that vitamin-D substitution might result in a better outcome of these patients when treated with CHOP plus rituximab. Supported by a grant from Deutsche Krebshilfe. Disclosures: No relevant conflicts of interest to declare.

scholarly journals Does Varicocelectomy Improve Gonadal Function in Men with Hypogonadism and Infertility? Analysis of a Prospective Study

2011 ◽  
Vol 2011 ◽  
pp. 1-6 ◽  
Author(s):  
Vasan Sathya Srini ◽  
Srinivas Belur Veerachari
Keyword(s):  
Semen Analysis ◽  
Serum Testosterone ◽  
Serum Levels ◽  
Serum Testosterone Level ◽  
Total Testosterone ◽  
Cell Dysfunction ◽  
The Mean ◽  
Group 2 ◽  
A Prospective Study ◽  
Group 1

Varicocele in infertile males is associated with Leydig cell dysfunction and hypogonadism. The effect of varicocelectomy on serum testosterone level is not yet established. We analysed 200 heterosexual infertile men diagnosed to have clinical varicocele they were divided into two groups: group 1 (100 men) had microsurgical varicocelectomy, and group 2 (100 patients) underwent assisted reproduction procedures. All participants had semen analysis, serum levels of follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), luteinizing hormone (LH), prolactin, and total testosterone (TT), measured both at recruitment time and 6 months later. In group 1, the mean TT level increased significantly after varicocelectomy (1.644±0.029to2.461±0.0198 ng/dL,P<0.0001) and testicular size correlated with the mean change in TT (P=0.001). No similar change was found in group 2. Out of the 100 patients in group 1, 78 had postoperative normalization of TT unlike only 16 men in group 2.

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