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Low Vitamin D levels
associated with Death from Cardiovascular,
all causes
CHICAGO – Individuals with lower blood
levels of vitamin D appear to have an
increased risk of death overall and from
cardiovascular causes, according to a report
in the June 23 issue of Archives of
Internal Medicine, one of the JAMA/Archives
journals.
A recent consensus panel estimated that
about 50 percent to 60 percent of older
individuals in North America and the rest of
the world do not have satisfactory vitamin D
status, and the situation is similar for
younger individuals, according to background
information in the article.
Blood levels of 25-hydroxyvitamin D, a
measure of blood vitamin D levels, lower
than 20 to 30 nanograms per milliliter have
been associated with falls, fractures,
cancer, immune dysfunction, cardiovascular
disease and hypertension.
These effects are thought to be mediated by
the compound 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D, which
is produced by the body and also converted
from 25-hydroxyvitamin D.
Harald Dobnig, M.D., of Medical University
of Graz, Austria, and colleagues studied
25-hydroxyvitamin D and
1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D levels in 3,258
consecutive patients (average age 62 years)
who were scheduled for coronary angiography
testing at a single medical center between
1997 and 2000.
During about 7.7 years of follow-up, 737
(22.6 percent) of participants died,
including 463 (62.8 percent) who died of
cardiovascular causes.
Death
rates from any cause and from cardiovascular
causes were higher among individuals in the
lower one-half of 25-hydroxyvitamin D levels
and the lowest one-fourth of
1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D levels.
These associations remained when the
researchers accounted for other factors,
including coronary artery disease, physical
activity level and co-occurring diseases.
Low 25-hydroxyvitamin D levels also were
correlated with markers of inflammation such
as C-reactive protein, as well as signs of
oxidative (oxygen-related) damage to cells,
the authors note.
“Apart from the proved effects that vitamin
D has on bone metabolism and neuromuscular
function, appropriate serum levels (that may
also be higher than in the present
investigation) are associated with a
decrease in mortality,” they conclude.
“Although not proved, it seems possible that
at least part of this effect may be due to
lowering of a risk profile promoting
atherosclerosis [narrowing of the arteries]
and preventing cardiovascular end points.”
“Based on the findings of this study, a
serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D level of 20
nanograms per milliliter or higher may be
advised for maintaining general health.”
Editor’s Note: The LURIC study has received
unrestricted grants from Sanofi-Aventis,
Roche, Dade Behring and AstraZeneca. Please
see the article for additional information,
including other authors, author
contributions and affiliations, financial
disclosures, funding and support, etc.
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