[Association between vitamin D deficiency and cardiovascular disease]

ABSTRACT

In cross-sectional studies, low serum levels of 25-hydroxyvitamin D are associated with a higher prevalence of cardiovascular risk factors. This study aimed to determine whether vitamin D deficiency is related to cardiovascular disease. This nested case-control study was performed within the framework of a population-based Cohort study [Tehran Lipid and Glucose Study, TLGS] among male and female participants, aged 30 years or older [mean [SD] age, 56.7 [10.6] years], free of diagnosed cardiovascular disease at initial blood collection. Using risk set sampling, controls [n=251] were selected in a 11 ratio and matched for age, sex and date of blood collection. We measured serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D levels in serum specimens, kept at -80°C until assay. Median serum 25 [OH] D was significantly lower in the CVD group than in controls [p<0.001]. For 25 [OH] D values of less than 10 ng/ml, compared with values more than 20 ng/ml [reference], the multivariable-adjusted OR [with 95% confidence intervals] for incident cardiovascular events was 3.21 [1.75-5.88]. Low levels of 25[OH]D are independently associated with higher risk of cardiovascular events in a graded manner, even after adjustment for factors known to be associated with coronary artery disease