Association Between Serum Levels of Vitamin D and Biochemical Markers Among Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation Candidates: A Cross-Sectional Study

Abstract

Background: Although vitamin D has been known as an effective substance in bone homeostasis, recent studies indicated a number of other biological properties attributed to vitamin D. Patients, who are candidates for hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT), were shown to be at high risk of vitamin D deficiency. Objectives: This study aimed at exploring the association between serum levels of vitamin D and biochemical markers among HSCT candidates. Methods: Totally, 214 patients, aged 18 to 65 years, were recruited in the current cross-sectional study. Within 24 hours of admission to the Bone Marrow Transplant ward, baseline clinical and demographic characteristics of study participants, serum levels of vitamin D, C-reactive protein (CRP), erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), hemoglobin, albumin, total protein, CRP-albumin ratio (CAR), and body mass index (BMI) were assessed. Participants were divided into 4 groups based on their serum vitamin D levels: Subjects with deficient, insufficient, sufficient, and optimal levels of vitamin D. Results: Across the 4 defined categories of serum vitamin D levels, there was no significant difference in terms of BMI, laboratory parameters, inflammatory factors, and biochemical markers. This lack of significant variation remained in both unadjusted and adjusted models. Conclusions: These observations indicate a lack of significant association between serum vitamin D levels and BMI, inflammatory factors, and biochemical markers in individuals undergoing evaluation for HSTC.