Normal vitamin D levels are associated with spontaneous hepatitis B surface antigen seroclearance

Table 1 Laboratory, demographic and clinical data of the two groups n (%) or (mean ± SD)

Characteristic	Normal levels of 25 (OH) vitamin D (n = 44)	Below normal levels of 25 (OH) vitamin D (n = 9)	P value
Sex (male)	30 (68)	5 (55)	NS
Age (yr)	37 ± 12.3	33 ± 15.1	NS
BMI	25 ± 5.4	27 ± 3.2	NS
C-reactive protein (mg/L)	0.9 ± 2.57	0.7 ± 1.23	NS
Duration of HBsAg positivity (yr)	7.2 ± 3.4	8.4 ± 4.8	NS
HBeAg-positive	7 (16)	2 (22)	NS
Mean levels of 25 (OH) vitamin D (ng/mL)	31 ± 4	13.5 ± 7.2	< 0.001

Comparison of demographic and laboratory characteristics between patients with normal and below normal levels of serum vitamin D. Normal levels of 25-hydroxyvitamin [25 (OH)] vitamin D > 30 ng/mL. Below normal levels of 25 (OH) vitamin D ≤ 30 ng/mL. NS: Not significant; BMI: Body mass index; HBsAg: Hepatitis B surface antigen; HBeAg: Hepatitis B e antigen.

Table 2 Results of multiple logistic regression analysis of spontaneous hepatitis B surface antigen seroclearance

Variables	OR (95%CI)	P value
Age > 35 (yr)	1.7 (1.25-2.8)	0.05
HBV DNA < 100 IU/mL	3 (2.6-4.2)	0.01
Serum 25 (OH) vitamin D > 20 ng/mL	2.6 (2.4-3.2)	0.02
HBeAg-negative	2.1 (1.2-3.1)	0.02
Duration of HBsAg-positivity > 8 years	1.6 (1.15-2.6)	0.04

Multiple logistic variables found to add a risk for spontaneous hepatitis B antigen clearance. HBV: Hepatitis B virus; HBsAg: Hepatitis B surface antigen; HBeAg: Hepatitis B e antigen; 25 (OH): 25-hydroxyvitamin.