Haemogram Parameters in Vitamin D Deficiency.

Objective: To study haemogram derived inflammatory indices, mean platelet volume (MPV), red cell distribution width (RDW), and neutrophil to lymphocyte ratio (NLR) in vitamin D deficient patients and to compare to those subjects with normal vitamin D levels.

Study Design: Descriptive study.

Place And Duration Of Study: Abant Izzet Baysal University Hospital, Bolu, Turkey, from March to May 2017.

Methodology: Patients' data visiting the outpatient clinics of the institution was retrospectively obtained from patients' files and computerised database. Subjects were grouped into normal vitamin D and vitamin D deficiency groups, according to the serum Vitamin D levels. Seasonal threshold value for vitamin D in Bolu region was set as 10 ng/ml. General characteristics and laboratory data of the study population were recorded and compared.

Results: Vitamin D deficiency was more common in subjects working inside as compared to those working outside (p=0.02), and in subjects with comorbidities compared to those without comorbidities (p=0.31). Body mass index (BMI), MPV, NLR were significantly higher in vitamin D deficient group as compared to subjects with normal vitamin D levels. A MPV greater than 6.22 has 89% sensitivity and 55% specifity for vitamin D deficiency, and NLR greater than 1.69 has 76% sensitivity and 55% specifity for vitamin D deficiency.

Conclusion: Elevated MPV and NLR may be the indicator of underlying serious vitamin D deficiency. Physicians should be alert and order a vitamin D assay in patients with elevated MPV or NLR, especially in endemic areas for vitamin D deficiency.