Prevalence and factors associated with severe vitamin D deficiency in HIV/hepatitis C co-infected patients

Purpose of study Vitamin D deficiency (VDD) is associated with elevated risks of cardiovascular disease, malignancies and impaired survival of the general population. In HIV infection VDD is related to anaemia, HIV disease progression and death, and in hepatitis C (HCV) infection impaired treatment responses to interferon. Severe VDD is common in both HIV and HCV mono-infection. The prevalence of VDD in HIV/HCV co-infected patients, and the effect of the severity of liver disease on vitamin D status remains unknown. The aim of this study was to investigate the prevalence of, and factors linked to severe VDD in HIV/HCV co-infected patients.