Objective: Vitamin D deficiency is prevalent in cirrhotic patients awaiting liver transplantation (LT). Optimal vitamin D management for these patients remains undefined. We sought to determine the effectiveness of our practice in addressing vitamin D deficiency in LT patients.
Methods: This retrospective study included 127 patients who received a first LT between July 2010 and July 2011. Outcomes measured included readmission rates, fractures, and functional status post-LT. 25-Hydroxyvitamin D (25-OH D) deficiency was stratified as: mild (20-30 ng/mL), moderate (15-19.9 ng/mL), and severe (<15 ng/mL). We estimated the amount of vitamin D supplementation required for each patient.
Results: At LT evaluation, 107 patients (84%) had vitamin D deficiency, and 74% remained vitamin D deficient at LT. Only 62% received vitamin D supplementation pre-LT. Moderate and severe deficiencies were less common at LT and rare 4 months post-LT. There was an association between improvement in vitamin D deficiency category at LT and increased vitamin D (>400,000 IU total) supplementation (P = .004). We found no association between vitamin D deficiency at LT and functional status, fractures, or readmissions post-LT. Patients receiving induction immunosuppressant therapy with basiliximab had a significantly greater degree of worsening in bone mineral density (BMD) post-LT.
Conclusion: Moderate-to-severe vitamin D deficiency was very prevalent in a cohort of patients undergoing evaluation for LT. Deficiency was improved with increased vitamin D replacement therapy. Vitamin D deficiency at LT was not associated with worse bone or functional outcomes post-LT. The influence of basiliximab on bone health post-LT requires further evaluation.