Vitamin D Deficiency and Insufficiency in Northeast Tennessee

Background: The role of vitamin D in population subgroups throughout the world continues to be a topic of interest among researchers. Current evidence demonstrates that treating vitamin D deficiency plays a significant role in improving mortality in hospitalized patients, reducing hospital length of stay, and boosting innate immune system. Vitamin D levels vary with age, gender, body mass index (BMI) and geographical area. The purpose of this study is to evaluate vitamin D levels in a cohort of patients in Northeast Tennessee. Study: This institutional review board-approved, retrospective study evaluated vitamin D levels of patients obtained from Mcleod Cancer and Blood Center. Vitamin D levels were collected over a 2-year period and classified as deficient (<20 ng/mL), insufficient (20 - 30 ng/mL), or replete (>30 ng/mL). Data were then stratified based on patient characteristics (age, gender, body mass index (BMI), race, seasons, and place of residence) and compounds of vitamin D (D2 and D3). Results: There were 2011 individuals included, with only 44.3% having replete levels and 21.4% with levels less than 20 ng/mL. Females with vitamin D deficiency are more likely to have levels below 20 ng/ml compared to males (18.6% vs. 23%, respectively, p = 0.003). Regarding BMI, the highest levels were reported in normal weight and overweight. With regards to age, advanced age (≥70) was associated with the highest levels and most replete patients. Winter months were associated with the lowest levels of vitamin D. Higher vitamin D levels were found in individuals over 70 years, normal weight and overweight category. Conclusion: Testing vitamin D levels in high-risk groups becomes of utmost importance in areas with longer winter months, obese and underweight patients. Vitamin D levels should be routinely tested and treated in vulnerable populations.

Association of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease with gallstone disease in the United States hospitalized patient population

BACKGROUND Gallstones and cholecystectomy have been proposed as risk factors for nonalcoholic fatty liver disease(NAFLD).The reason for this may be that both gallstones,as well as NAFLD share several risk factors with regards to their development.Currently,there is a lack of sufficient evidence showing an association between these clinical conditions.AIM To determine whether there is a meaningful association between gallstones and cholecystectomy with NAFLD.METHODS We queried the National Inpatient Sample database from the years 2016 and 2017 using International Classification of Diseases,10th revision,Clinical Modification diagnosis codes to identify hospitalizations with a diagnosis of gallstone disease(GSD)(includes calculus of gallbladder without cholecystitis without obstruction and acquired absence of gallbladder)as well as NAFLD(includes simple fatty liver and non-alcoholic steatohepatitis).Odds ratios(ORs)measuring the association between GSD(includes gallstones and cholecystectomy)and NAFLD were calculated using logistic regression after adjusting for confounding variables.RESULTS Out of 14294784 hospitalizations in 2016-2017,159259 were found to have NAFLD.The prevalence of NAFLD was 3.3%in patients with GSD and 1%in those without.NAFLD was prevalent in 64.3%of women with GSD as compared to 35.7%of men with GSD.After controlling for various confounders associated with NAFLD and GSD,multivariate-adjusted analysis showed that there was an association between NAFLD with gallstones[OR=6.32;95%confidence interval(CI):6.15-6.48]as well as cholecystectomy(OR=1.97;95%CI:1.93-2.01).The association between NAFLD and gallstones was stronger in men(OR=6.67;95%CI:6.42-6.93)than women(OR=6.05;95%CI:5.83-6.27).The association between NAFLD and cholecystectomy was stronger in women(OR=2.01;95%CI:1.96-2.06)than men(OR=1.85;95%CI:1.79-1.92).P value was less than 0.001 for all comparisons.CONCLUSION NAFLD is more prevalent in women with GSD than men.The association between NAFLD and cholecystectomy/gallstones indicates that they may be risk factors for NAFLD.

Closing the Gap: Characterizing Key Factors Leading to the Disparity in Suicide Rates along the Urban-Rural Continuum

Suicide is a top ten cause of mortality in the United States.In previous literature the suicide rates in rural com-munities have been reported to be greater than those of more urban communities.Additionally,these studies have discussed many potential causes for the unfortunate disparity in rates.One cause often discussed is lack of mental health care providers in rural communities.The data for this study was gathered from the CDC’s WONDER data-base and the NPPES NPI Registry.The urban-rural categorization of counties used the 2013 NCHS Urban-Rural Scheme.Statistical analysis included chi-square tests,paired t-tests,and stepwise regression analyses.Results indi-cate that both the number of residents per provider(r=0.35,p≤0.005),and urbanization level(r=0.49,p≤0.001)were significantly related to suicide rate.Additionally,even after controlling for provider rates,each additional level of rurality predicted an increase of 1.2 suicides per 100,000 residents.Ultimately,the number of providers may play a major role in suicide rates,but extra effort must also be made in rural communities to combat the other contextual factors leading to increased suicide rates.