Low vitamin d levels predict stroke in patients

December 7, 2008

Low vitamin d levels predict stroke in patients referred to coronary

angiography. (1: Stroke. 2008 Sep;39(9):2611-3. Epub 2008 Jul 17.)

Pilz S, Dobnig H, Fischer JE, Wellnitz B, Seelhorst U, Boehm BO, März W.

Synlab Center of Laboratory Diagnostics, Heidelberg, PO Box 10470,

D-69037 Heidelberg, Germany.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Vitamin D deficiency is common among the

elderly and may contribute to cerebrovascular diseases. We aimed to

elucidate whether low vitamin D levels are predictive for fatal stroke.

METHODS: The LUdwigshafen RIsk and Cardiovascular Health (LURIC) study

includes 3316 patients who were referred to coronary angiography at

baseline between 1997 and 2000. 25-Hydroxyvitamin D [25(OH)D] and

1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D [1,25(OH)2D] were measured in 3299 and 3315

study participants, respectively. To account for the seasonal

variation of vitamin D metabolites, we calculated z values for the

25(OH)D and 1,25(OH)2D concentrations within each month of blood draw.

RESULTS: During a median follow-up time of 7.75 years, 769 patients

died, including 42 fatal (ischemic and hemorrhagic) strokes. When

compared with survivors in binary logistic-regression analyses, the

odds ratios (with 95% CIs) for fatal stroke were 0.58 (0.43 to 0.78;

P<0.001) per z value of 25(OH)D and 0.62 (0.47 to 0.81; P<0.001) per z

value of 1,25(OH)2D. After adjustment for several possible

confounders, these odds ratios remained significant for 25(OH)D at

0.67 (0.46 to 0.97; P=0.032) and for 1,25(OH)2D at 0.72 (0.52 to 0.99;

P=0.047). Z values of 25(OH)D and 1,25(OH)2D were also reduced in the

274 patients who had a history of previous cerebrovascular disease

events at baseline.

CONCLUSIONS: Low levels of 25(OH)D and 1,25(OH)2D are independently

predictive for fatal strokes, suggesting that vitamin D

supplementation is a promising approach in the prevention of strokes.

PMID: 18635847 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]

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