Vitamin D Deficiency among Patients with Newly Diagnosed Tuberculosis

Abstract

Background: Tuberculosis is a common public health problem in Kurdistan region and Iraq.         

Objective: To determine the prevalence of vitamin D deficiency among newly diagnosed individuals with tuberculosis.

Methods: Present study was an observational cross-sectional carried out in Erbil Tuberculosis center at Erbil city-Kurdistan region/Iraq through the period of eight months from 1^st of October, 2024 to 30^th of April, 2025 on sample of sample of one hundred patients with newly diagnosed tuberculosis and sample of one hundred healthy individuals as controls.

Results: The vitamin D deficiency was recorded in 74% of newly diagnosed tuberculosis cases. Our study showed a statistically significant relationship was observed between severe vitamin D level deficiency and TB cases (p<0.001). Risk factors related to vitamin D deficiency among newly diagnosed tuberculosis cases are increased age, illiteracy, unemployment, widow relationship, positive menopause for females, low family income, high crowding index, current smoking, shorter exposure duration to sunshine, no vitamin D supplement and rare frequency of food rich in vitamin D.

Conclusion: The prevalence of vitamin D deficiency in newly diagnosed tuberculosis cases in Erbil city-Kurdistan region/Iraq is high. The vitamin D deficiency may play a significant role in development of tuberculosis.