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In a study involving 146 patients with gastrointestinal disease and a mean age of 55 years, 25(OH)D was found to be severely deficient (< 12.5 nmol/L) in 11% of subjects, deficient (< 25 nmol/L) in 12%, insufficient (< 50 nmol/L) in 29%, and sufficient in 47% of subjects. In comparison, subjects with no chronic disease were found to have a significantly higher mean 25(OH)D level (57 nmol/L), as compared to subjects with cirrhosis (15 nmol/L) and alcoholism (31 nmol/L). A linear relationship between 25(OH)D and alkaline phosphatase was found, in which subjects with severe vitamin D deficiency were found to have higher total alkaline phosphatase (149.5 vs 76 U/L) and parathyroid hormone levels (5.1 vs. 2.8 pmol/L). The authors conclude, "We recommend measuring the level of 25(OH)D and parathyroid hormone in patients with chronic diseases, especially alcoholism and cirrhosis." [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]