Haemogram Parameters in Vitamin D Deficiency

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.

Descriptive study.

Abant Izzet Baysal University Hospital, Bolu, Turkey, from March to May 2017.

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.

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.

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.