Abstract
High incidence in peptic ulcer disease (PUD) has been observed in obese individuals. Vitamin D metabolic abnormaility may occur in response to chronic and acute inflammatory caused by developments of obesity and PUD. This study investigated the associations among obesity, PUD, and vitamin D metabolic status. This study adopted a cross-sectional analysis design, utilizing data from the Nutrition and Health Survey in Taiwan (NAHSIT) conducted between 2013 and 2020. Participants were aged 20 to 65 years, had a body mass index (BMI) of either ≥ 27 or between 18.5 and 23.9 kg/m(2), and completed both a health examination and questionnaires on dietary intake and disease status, including gastrointestinal symptoms. The results indicated that serum vitamin D levels were significantly higher in obese individuals without PUD compared to those diagnosed with PUD within one year (30.2 ± 10.6 vs. 25.5 ± 6.8 mg/dl, p = 0.032). Similarly, serum vitamin D levels were also higher in obese individuals with PUD after receiving therapy for more than one year (27.1 ± 10.3 mg/dl within 1 to 2 years; 29.8 ± 10.3 mg/dl for more than 2 years). Additionally, serum triglyceride (TG) levels were significantly higher in the obese individuals with PUD group within the first year compared to both the participants without PUD and with PUD who had undergone therapy for more than 1 year. Vitamin D supplementation may be recommended for obese individuals diagnosed with PUD within the first year and could be considered as an adjunct therapy.