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Epidemiology

Association between vitamin D deficiency and lipid and non-lipid markers of cardiovascular diseases in the middle east region

European Journal of Clinical Nutrition volume 73, pages 850–858 (2019)Cite this article

Subjects

Abstract

Background

Previous studies have associated vitamin D deficiency with cardiovascular disease (CVD) markers. The underlying mechanism remains elusive. Lipid and non-lipid markers of CVD and their relationship to vitamin D deficiency have not been assessed simultaneously.

Objective

To measure the association between vitamin D deficiency and non-lipid markers of CVD after adjustment of lipid markers.

Methods

This cross-sectional study used the following biological data, which was routinely collected in a general hospital laboratory database between 2011 and 2016: 25OH vitamin D [25(OH)D], creatinine, CKD-EPI eGFR (eGFR), fasting blood glucose (FPG), glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c), uric acid, γ-glutamyl transferase (γGT), C-reactive protein (CRP), total cholesterol, LDL cholesterol, HDL cholesterol, triglycerides, and a surrogate for CVD. Crude odds ratios (ORs) and ORs adjusted for lipid profile, gender and age using separate logistic regression models were derived.

Results

A total of 8658 subjects were included. Half had 25(OH)D < 20 ng/mL. 25(OH)D was associated with increased odds of CRP, eGFR, increased uric acid, γGT, FPG, HbA1c, male gender, CV status, and abnormal lipid markers. After adjustment for lipid markers, age, and gender, vitamin D deficiency was associated with increased odds of CRP, eGFR, γGT, FPG, HbA1c, and the surrogate for CVD.

Conclusions

In this exploratory analysis, the first of its kind in the MENA region, vitamin D deficiency was associated with abnormal lipid markers, non-lipid markers of CVD, male gender, lower eGFR, and a surrogate variable for CVD. The association between vitamin D deficiency and non-lipid markers of CVD persisted after adjustment for lipid markers, age, and gender.

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Acknowledgements

This work was supported by the Research Council of the Saint Joseph University – Faculty of Medicine.

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Author notes

  1. These authors contributed equally: Sahar Nakhl, Ghassan Sleilaty

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Laboratoire de recherche en Physiologie et Physiopathologie (LRPP), pôle technologie santé, Faculté de Médecine, Université Saint Joseph, Beirut, Lebanon

    Sahar Nakhl, Youakim Saliba & Nassim Farès

  2. Laboratoire Stress Oxydatif et Antioxydants, Faculté des Sciences Médicales et école doctorale en sciences et technologie, Université Libanaise, Beirut, Lebanon

    Sahar Nakhl & Ramez Chahine

  3. Faculté de Médecine and Institut Supérieur de Santé Publique, Université Saint Joseph, Beirut, Lebanon

    Ghassan Sleilaty

  4. Centre Hospitalier Du Nord, Zghorta, Lebanon

    Salam El Samad

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Nakhl, S., Sleilaty, G., El Samad, S. et al. Association between vitamin D deficiency and lipid and non-lipid markers of cardiovascular diseases in the middle east region. Eur J Clin Nutr 73, 850–858 (2019). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41430-018-0280-1

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