The presence of primary sclerosing cholangitis in patients with ileal pouch anal- anastomosis is associated with an additional risk for vitamin D deficiency

Objective: Vitamin D deficiency is common in patients with ileal pouch-anal anastomosis (IPAA) for ulcerative colitis (UC). Whether vitamin D levels are further lowered in patients with concomitant IPAA and primary sclerosing cholangitis (PSC) is not known. The aim of this study was to evaluate the presence of PSC as a risk factor for vitamin D deficiency in patients with UC and IPAA.

Methods: In this case control study, 74 patients with concurrent IPAA and PSC were included in the study group, and 79 patients with IPAA, but without PSC, served as controls. Forty-four variables were analyzed. Univariate analysis and multivariate analysis with stepwise logistic regression were performed.

Results: A total 153 eligible patients were included, with 74 (48.4%) in the study group and 79 (51.6%) in the control group. Vitamin D level in the study group was 18.9 ± 1.4 ng/dL compared with 30.3 ± 1.7 ng/d in the control group (P = 0.011). Vitamin D deficiency (≤ 20 ng/dL) was present in 65 (42.5%) patients. PSC occurred in 49 (75.4%) of the 65 patients with vitamin D deficiency. In the multivariate analysis, only the presence of PSC (odds ratio [OR]: 7.56; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 2.39-24.08; P = 0.001) and vitamin D supplementation (OR: 2.58; 95% CI: 1.57-9.19; P = 0.018) remained associated with vitamin D deficiency.

Conclusion: The presence of PSC was found to be an independent risk factor for vitamin D deficiency in UC patients with IPAA. These patients should be routinely screened and closely monitored for vitamin D deficiency.