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. 2017 Apr 8;13(1):96.
doi: 10.1186/s12917-017-1022-7.

Hypovitaminosis D is associated with negative outcome in dogs with protein losing enteropathy: a retrospective study of 43 cases

K Allenspach  1   2 , J Rizzo  3 , A E Jergens  4 , Y M Chang  5
Affiliations

Hypovitaminosis D is associated with negative outcome in dogs with protein losing enteropathy: a retrospective study of 43 cases

K Allenspach et al. BMC Vet Res. .

Abstract

Background: Hypovitaminosis D has previously been shown to be prevalent amongst dogs with protein losing enteropathy (PLE). The hypothesis of this study was that Low 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25(OH) D) serum concentrations could be a risk factor for negative outcome in dogs with PLE. Forty-three dogs diagnosed with PLE (2005-2014) and which serum Vitamin D serum concentrations were collected and archived at -80 Degrees C were analyzed. Post-diagnostic communication with referring veterinarians was made to determine outcome of PLE dogss: Dogs which died due to PLE within 4 months after diagnosis (negative outcome group, n = 22) and dogs alive or which died due to another disease at the end point of the study (1 year after diagnosis, good outcome group, n = 21). Serum samples taken at the time of diagnosis were analysed for ionized calcium (iCa) concentrations and serum 25(OH) D concentration.

Results: Clinical (CCECAI) scores, age at PLE diagnosis, and iCa concentrations were not significantly different between dog groups. A significantly greater (p < 0.001) number of PLE dogs treated with hydrolyzed or elimination diet alone showed good outcome as compared to the PLE negative outcome group. Median serum 25(OH) D concentration was significantly (p = 0.017) lower in dogs with negative outcome versus PLE dogs with good outcome. Using logistic regression analysis, 25(OH) D serum concentration was shown to be a statistically significant factor for outcome determination. Cox regression analysis yielded a hazard ratio of 0.974 (95% CI 0.949, 0.999) per each one nmol/l increase in serum 25(OH) D concentration.

Conclusions: Low serum 25(OH) D concentration in PLE dogs was significantly associated with poor outcome. Further studies are required to investigate the clinical efficacy of Vitamin D (cholecalciferol) as a potential therapeutic agent for dogs with PLE.

Keywords: Dog; Ionized calcium; Outcome; Protein losing enteropathy (PLE); Risk factors; Vitamin D3.

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Figures

Fig. 1
Fig. 1
Box and Whisker plots representing 25(OH) D serum concentrations between PLE dogs in the poor outcome versus good outcome groups. (25(OH) D serum concentration in poor outcome group: median 16.5 nmol/L, range 0–66 nmol/L; good outcome group: median 37 nmol/L, range 6–81 nmol/L, p = 0.017)
Fig. 2
Fig. 2
Kaplan-Meier curve and Cox regression using >16 nmol/l, 117–41 nmol/l, and >42 nmol/l as cut-off points for 25(OH) D serum concentration. Higher (25(OH) D serum concentration at diagnosis indicated a better survival of PLE dogs with an hazard ratio of 0.974 (95% CI 0.949, 0.999) per one nmol/l increase in vitamin D
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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