ABSTRACT
Background: Vitamin D is a pleiotropic hormone and plays a major role in protecting the body against infection and regulating inflammation. Research suggests that kidney [K] recipients with low levels of 25 hydroxyvitamin D3 (25(OH)D3) have a higher incidence of infections and rejection. Furthermore, research indicates low dietary vitamin D intake is positively associated with a lowered 25(OH)D3 serum levels. However, no research exists examining vitamin D intake and length of stay in the hospital [LOS(H)] in the K and K-pancreas [KP] population. Objective: The objective was to determine the associations between dietary vitamin D intake and episodes of infection, rejection, and LOS(H) in K+KP transplant recipients. Methods: Methods: A prospective investigation of 110 K+KP transplant patients with follow-up at 3, 6, 9, and 12-months posttransplant was undertaken. Due to barriers encountered by the COVID-19 pandemic, data was collected at baseline and 3 months only. Dietary vitamin D intake was obtained through modified Automated Multi-pass Method 24-hour (24HR) dietary recall at baseline which were analyzed by ESHA Food Processor. Vitamin D intake amounts did not include intake from supplementation. Episodes of infection, rejection and LOS(H) were recorded at 3 months post-transplant. Demographic data was determined using frequencies and means ± SD. Associations were determined using Spearman's correlations. Statistical analysis was preformed using SPSS v27 and statistical significance was determined using p < 0.05. Results: Results/Discussion: 100K and 10KP were available for evaluation. Participants were 64% male and 36% female, mean age: 50.5 ± 13.9 years, and BMI: 28.6 ± 5.5kg/m2. 99% of our patient population did not meet their recommended dietary allowance [RDA] for vitamin D intake by food alone, thus, it is possible that a portion of our patient population would have deficient serum 25(OH)D3 levels. No significant associations were found between vitamin D intake and episodes of infection, rejection, or LOS(H) at 3 months. We report 25% vitamin D intake from dairy products and only 2% from margarine. Lower intake of dairy products may be related to the recommendation of a potassiumrestricted nutrition care plan in the K+KP population. Conclusion: Conclusion: We report no association between vitamin D intake and episodes of infection, rejection, or LOS(H) likely due to the fact that the majority of our population's dietary intake did not meet vitamin D intake recommendations. Our future research will focus on improving patient vitamin D intake, supplementation and investigating 25(OH)D3 levels in association with episodes of infection, rejection, and LOS(H).