25(OH)D concentrations are not associated with adiposity indicators, but with the stage of immunodeficiency in people with HIV/AIDS.

Objective: this study assessed the association between serum 25(OH)D concentrations and anthropometric indicators of adiposity in people living with HIV/AIDS taking highly active antiretroviral therapy.

Methods: the study included 244 people living with HIV/AIDS who received outpatient care at the Institute of Tropical Diseases in the city of Teresina, Brazil. Sociodemographic, clinical, anthropometric and laboratory characteristics were examined. Serum 25(OH)D was analyzed by high-performance liquid chromatography in accordance with the Vitamin D Standardization Program. Multiple linear regression analysis adjusted for gender, age, disease stage and duration of highly active antiretroviral therapy was performed to assess the association between 25(OH)D concentrations and adiposity indicators.

Results: the study included 142 (58.2 %) men and 102 (41.8 %) women, with a mean (± SD) age of 39.13 (± 10.83) years. A proportion of 57.8 per cent of the participants had insufficient concentrations of 25(OH)D below 30 ng/mL. Individuals in more advanced stages of immunodeficiency had lower concentrations of 25(OH)D (30.30 ± 16.10 ng/mL) compared to those with mild immunodeficiency or no immunodeficiency. There was no significant association between 25(OH)D concentrations and any of the adiposity indicators considered in this study.

Conclusion: vitamin D concentrations in people living with HIV/AIDS using antiretroviral therapy are related to the degree of immunosuppression, but not to the individual's adiposity status.