The Association between Serum Vitamin D Deficiency and COPD Exacerbation

Background: Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) is a progressive lung disease that is defined byairflow limitation and frequent exacerbations, leading to considerable morbidity and mortality. Recent dataindicate that vitamin D deficiency has the potential to impact the frequency and severity of exacerbations inCOPD because of its immunomodulatory properties.Objective: To assess the correlation between serum vitamin D deficiency and the severity and frequency ofCOPD exacerbations.Methods: A six-month observational cross-sectional study was carried out among 150 COPD patients in atertiary care hospital. Serum levels of 25-hydroxyvitamin D were recorded and divided into deficient (<20ng/mL) and sufficient (≥20 ng/mL). History of frequency of exacerbations in the last year, clinical profile, andcomorbidities were taken. Statistical analysis with Pearson's correlation and logistic regression was done toevaluate the association between vitamin D levels and COPD exacerbations.Results: Vitamin D deficiency was detected in 65.3% of the participants. The number of exacerbations wassignificantly greater in vitamin D-deficient patients (2.8 ± 1.1) than in those with normal levels (1.3 ± 0.6; p <0.001). There was a moderate negative correlation between serum vitamin D concentration and frequency ofexacerbation (r = -0.61, p < 0.001). Exacerbation severity was also significantly higher in deficient patients.Conclusion: The deficiency of vitamin D has been strongly linked with the enhancement of frequency andseverity of COPD exacerbations. Screening and deficiency correction on a regular basis can be a useful adjunctin COPD management