Relevance of vitamin D deficiency in patients with chronic autoimmune atrophic gastritis: a prospective study

• Published in: BMC gastroenterology Vol. 18; no. 1; p. 172
• Main Authors: Massironi, Sara, Cavalcoli, Federica, Zilli, Alessandra, Del Gobbo, Alessandro, Ciafardini, Clorinda, Bernasconi, Susanna, Felicetta, Irene, Conte, Dario, Peracchi, Maddalena
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: England BioMed Central Ltd 08.11.2018; BioMed Central; BMC
• Subjects: 25-Hydroxyvitamin D 2 - deficiency; 25-Hydroxyvitamin D 2 - metabolism; Acidification; Adenosine triphosphatase; Age; Aged; Anemia; Atrophy; Autoimmune Diseases - complications; Autoimmune Diseases - pathology; Bone density; Bone health; Breast cancer; Calcium; Calcium - blood; Chronic autoimmune atrophic gastritis; Chronic Disease; Endoscopy; Female; Gastric carcinoid; Gastritis; Gastritis, Atrophic - complications; Gastritis, Atrophic - pathology; Gastroenterology; Gene expression; Health aspects; Humans; Intestinal Absorption; Iron; Male; Middle Aged; Nutrient deficiency; Osteoporosis; Parathyroid Hormone - blood; Pathogenesis; Prospective Studies; Prostate; Studies; Vitamin B 12 - blood; Vitamin B12; Vitamin D; Vitamin D deficiency; Vitamin D Deficiency - blood; Vitamin D Deficiency - etiology; Vitamin D Deficiency - metabolism; Vitamin deficiency; Bone health; Osteoporosis; Vitamin D deficiency; Chronic autoimmune atrophic gastritis; Gastric carcinoid
• ISSN: 1471-230X; 1471-230X
• DOI: 10.1186/s12876-018-0901-0

Chronic autoimmune atrophic gastritis (CAAG) is an autoimmune disease characterized by hypo/achlorhydria. A role of CAAG in the pathogenesis of nutritional deficiencies has been reported, therefore we hypothesized a possible association between CAAG and 25-OH-Vitamin D [25(OH)D] deficiency. Aim of the present study is to evaluate the prevalence of 25(OH)D deficiency in CAAG patients. 87 CAAG patients (71 females; mean age 63.5 ± 12.8 years) followed at our Centre from January 2012 to July 2015 were consecutively evaluated. 25(OH)D, vitamin B , parathormone, and calcium were measured in all the CAAG patients. The results were compared with a control group of 1232 healthy subjects. In the CAAG group the mean 25(OH)D levels were significantly lower than in the control group (18.8 vs. 27.0 ng/ml, p < 0.0001). 25(OH)D levels < 20 ng/ml was observed in 57 patients, while levels < 12.5 ng/ml in 27 patients. A significant correlation between vitamin B values at diagnosis and 25(OH)D levels was observed (r  = 0.25, p = 0.01). Interestingly, the CAAG patients with moderate/severe gastric atrophy had lower 25(OH)D values as compared to those with mild atrophy (11.8 vs. 20 ng/ml; p = 0.0047). Moreover, the 25(OH)D levels were significantly lower in CAAG patients with gastric carcinoid as compared to those without gastric carcinoid (11.8 vs. 19.8 ng/ml; p = 0,0041). Data from the present study showed a significant reduction of 25(OH)D levels in CAAG patients and a possible impairment of vitamin D absorption in CAAG may be postulated. Any implication to the genesis of gastric carcinoids remains to be elucidated.