P2676 - Impact of Vitamin D Deficiency in Ulcerative Colitis Patients: A Nationwide Retrospective Cohort Study

Ahmed Elmoursi, MD, MPH¹, Ahmed Abomhya, MD², Ibrahim Metawea, MD³, Hazem Abosheaishaa, MD⁴, Karim Benrajab, MD², Mostafa Elrazzaz, MD⁵, Alaa Alareidi, BS², Mohamed Ali, MS^6
1Harvard Medical School, Lexington, KY; ²University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY; ³University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI; ⁴Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, Queens, NY; ⁵Detroit Medical Center, Detroit, MI; ⁶University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, Boston, KY

Introduction: Ulcerative colitis (UC) affects approximately 1 million people in the United States and is associated with significant morbidity and healthcare costs. Recent studies have indicated that vitamin D deficiency, which affects 30-40% of UC patients, may exacerbate disease severity and lead to poorer clinical outcomes.

Methods: We conducted a nationwide retrospective cohort study to assess the prevalence, associated risk factors, demographic characteristics, hospital treatment settings, total charges, mortality rates, and comorbid conditions between UC patients with and without vitamin D deficiency.

Results: A total of 205,107 hospital discharges diagnosed with UC were extracted, with 2.7% (5,632) of the patients having vitamin D deficiency. The median age of patients was similar between the two groups, with a median of 57 years (IQR: 37-68) for those with vitamin D deficiency and 57 years (IQR: 32-65, p < 0.001) for those without. A higher proportion of patients with vitamin D deficiency were treated in large hospitals compared to those without the deficiency (58.9% vs. 57.2%, p = 0.020). UC patients with vitamin D deficiency had a significantly prolonged median length of stay (LOS) (5 days; IQR: 3-8 vs. 3 days; IQR: 2-5, p < 0.002) and higher median total charges ($71,587 vs. $64,628, p < 0.05). Patients with vitamin D deficiency had increased mortality rates (4.1% vs. 1.9%, p = 0.004), longer median LOS (7 vs. 5 days, p < 0.001), and greater median total charges ($79,143 vs. $63,683, p < 0.001) than those without vitamin D deficiency. Comorbid conditions were more prevalent in UC patients with vitamin D deficiency, including hypertension (26.2% vs. 18.7%, p < 0.001), obesity (24.3% vs. 12.1%, p < 0.001), metabolic syndrome (0.8% vs. 0.2%, p < 0.001), dyslipidemia (32.7% vs. 27.3%, p < 0.001), diabetes mellitus (22.7% vs. 19.7%, p < 0.001), and hypothyroidism (17.3% vs. 12.4%, p < 0.001). There was also a higher prevalence of major depressive disorder (21.6% vs. 15.7%, p < 0.001), thrombocytopenia (5.4% vs. 4.8%, p = 0.036), and liver cirrhosis (4.3% vs. 3.1%, p < 0.001).

Discussion: Vitamin D deficiency in UC patients is associated with increased hospital resource utilization, higher healthcare costs, and greater mortality rates. Our findings highlight the importance of monitoring and potentially addressing vitamin D levels in the management of UC patients. Further studies are needed to enhance early detection and improve long-term outcomes.


Disclosures:


Ahmed Elmoursi, MD, MPH¹, Ahmed Abomhya, MD², Ibrahim Metawea, MD³, Hazem Abosheaishaa, MD⁴, Karim Benrajab, MD², Mostafa Elrazzaz, MD⁵, Alaa Alareidi, BS², Mohamed Ali, MS⁶. P2676 - Impact of Vitamin D Deficiency in Ulcerative Colitis Patients: A Nationwide Retrospective Cohort Study, ACG 2024 Annual Scientific Meeting Abstracts. Philadelphia, PA: American College of Gastroenterology.