What are the characteristics of vitamin D metabolism in opioid dependence? An exploratory longitudinal study in Australian primary care

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: Compare vitamin D levels in opioid dependence and control population and adjust for relevant confounding effects. Nuclear hormone receptors (including the vitamin D receptor) have been shown to be key transducers and regulators of intracellular metabolism and comprise an important site of pathophysiological immune and metabolic dysregulation potentially contributing towards pro-ageing changes observed in opioid-dependent patients (ODPs). DESIGN: Longitudinal prospective comparing ODPs with general medical controls (GMCs). SETTING: Primary care. PARTICIPANTS: Prospective review comparing 1168 ODP (72.5% men) and 415 GMC (51.6% men, p INTERVENTIONS: Nil. Observational study only. PRIMARY AND SECONDARY OUTCOMES: Serum vitamin D levels and relevant biochemical parameters. RESULTS: Vitamin D levels were higher in the ODP (70.35±1.16 and 57.06±1.81 nmol/L, p CONCLUSION: Vitamin D was higher in ODP in both sexes in bivariate, cross-sectional, cas