Influence of vitamin D receptors genetic polymorphism on pulmonary function and dyspnoea score in patients with pulmonary tuberculosis

Background Vitamin D regulates immune system and it is vital to the immune response's ability to resist a number of illnesses, including TB and it is reasonable to assume that this VDR polymorphism would have functional effects similar to those observed in vitamin D insufficiency. The aim of this study was to assess how mutations in the VDR gene impact serum vitamin D levels and lung function in individuals with pulmonary tuberculosis. Methods: A cross sectional study was carried out on a sample of Iraqi patients from Baghdad city attended to TB units at primary health care centres. Blood samples of all patients were collected for serum vitamin D and genetic analysis utilizing. Dyspnoea score and spirometry done for evaluation of pulmonary function. Results: There was significant difference between serum vitamin D level in non-mutants (24.2 ± 12) and mutants (13.3 ± 6.1) nmol/L, there was significant difference between dyspnoea score in mutants (2.8 ± 0.6) and non-mutants (2.1 ± 0.9), there was significant difference in FEV1 (46.9± 15.3), (59.5± 25.6) and FEV1/FVC (108.1± 7.4), (103.2± 14.3) between mutants and non-mutants respectively. Conclusions: The presence of VDR mutations in PTB patients is associated with reduced vitamin D levels and impaired pulmonary function, suggesting their potential as biomarkers for respiratory dysfunction and vitamin D deficiency