serum vitamin d levels and their association with osteoporosis in kidney transplant recipients: a cross-sectional study in birjand, iran, in 2022

Introduction: chronic kidney disease (ckd) is associated with mineral metabolism disorders, such as calcium, phosphorus, and calcium-regulating hormones. moreover, the need to prescribe and use corticosteroid compounds increases the risk of osteoporosis in these patients. therefore, this study aimed to investigate the serum level of vitamin d and its relationship with osteoporosis in kidney transplant patients (ktps) in birjand, iran. methods: this descriptive-analytical cross-sectional study included 50 ktps in birjand, iran, who had passed at least one year after a kidney transplant. vitamin d serum level and bone mineral density (bmd) were measured by the dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry method. data analysis was done using spss software (version 19) and statistical tests, such as fisher’s exact test, chi-square, independent samples t-test, and pearson correlation coefficient at α=0.05 level. results: vitamin d level showed no significant relationship with bmd, t score, and z score. the mean of z spine, z rad, t spine, t hip, and t rad in women was significantly higher than that of men (p<0.05). moreover, no statistically significant linear correlation of vitamin d levels was observed with t-score and z-score indices according to age in the studied patients. finally, the results showed no significant relationship of vitamin d levels with bmd, t score, and z score. conclusion: considering that similar studies have been conducted at a limited level, it is suggested that more comprehensive studies be conducted to more accurately investigate and determine the relationship between vitamin d and osteoporosis in ktps.