Serum 25-hydroxyvitamin d levels and C-reactive protein in persons with human immunodeficiency virus infection

• Published in: AIDS research and human retroviruses Vol. 29; no. 3; p. 528
• Main Authors: Poudel-Tandukar, Kalpana, Poudel, Krishna C, Jimba, Masamine, Kobayashi, Jun, Johnson, C Anderson, Palmer, Paula H
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States 01.03.2013
• Subjects: Adolescent; Adult; C-Reactive Protein - analysis; Cross-Sectional Studies; Female; HIV - pathogenicity; HIV Infections - pathology; Humans; Male; Middle Aged; Nepal; Serum - chemistry; Sex Factors; Vitamin D - analogs & derivatives; Vitamin D - blood; Young Adult
• ISSN: 1931-8405
• DOI: 10.1089/aid.2012.0120

Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection has frequently been associated with vitamin D deficiency as well as chronic inflammatory response. We tested the hypothesis of an independent relationship between serum concentrations of 25-hydroxyvitamin D [25(OH)D] and high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (CRP) in a cohort of HIV-positive people. A cross-sectional survey was conducted among 316 HIV-positive people (181 men and 135 women) aged 16 to 60 years residing in the Kathmandu Valley, Nepal. Serum high-sensitivity CRP concentrations and serum 25(OH)D levels were measured by the latex agglutination nephelometry method and the competitive protein-binding assay, respectively. The relationship between serum CRP concentrations and 25(OH)D serum level was assessed using multiple logistic regression analysis with adjustment of potential cardiovascular and HIV-related factors. The proportions of participants with 25(OH)D serum levels <20 ng/ml, 20-30 ng/ml, and ≥30 ng/ml were 83.2%, 15.5%, and 1.3%, respectively. The mean 25(OH)D serum levels in men and women were 15.3 ng/ml and 14.4 ng/ml, respectively. Participants with a 25(OH)D serum level of <20 ng/ml had a 3.2-fold higher odds of high CRP (>3 mg/liter) compared to those with a 25(OH)D serum level of ≥20 ng/ml (p=0.005). Men and women with a 25(OH)D serum level of <20 ng/ml had 3.2- and 2.7-fold higher odds of high CRP (>3 mg/liter), respectively, compared to those with a 25(OH)D serum level of ≥20 ng/ml. The relationships remained significant only in men (p =0.02) but not in women (p=0.28). The risk of having a high level of inflammation (CRP>3 mg/liter) may be high among HIV-positive men and women with a 25(OH)D serum level of <20 ng/ml.