25-hydroxyvitamin D levels and hypertension rates

Area of Science:

• Cardiology and Endocrinology
• Nutritional Science
• Public Health

Background:

• Vitamin D deficiency is associated with cardiovascular disease and hypertension risk factors.
• Understanding the relationship between 25-hydroxyvitamin D levels and hypertension prevalence is crucial for public health.
• Previous research suggests a link, but specific prevalence rates and odds ratios across different vitamin D levels require further investigation.

Purpose of the Study:

• To determine the prevalence of hypertension in adults across different 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25(OH)D) level categories.
• To evaluate the odds ratios for hypertension associated with lower 25(OH)D levels compared to optimal levels (≥40 ng/mL).
• To investigate the association between vitamin D status and hypertension within a diverse adult population.

Main Methods:

• A cross-sectional study utilizing data from January 2004 to December 2006.
• Inclusion criteria: patients aged 18 years and older tested for 25(OH)D.
• Hypertension diagnosis based on ICD codes; patients categorized into 25(OH)D quartiles: ideal (≥40 ng/mL), adequate (30-39 ng/mL), deficient (15-29 ng/mL), severely deficient (<15 ng/mL).
• Statistical analysis included calculating prevalence rates and adjusted odds ratios for hypertension.

Main Results:

• The overall prevalence of hypertension was 24% in the study population (n=2722).
• Hypertension rates increased significantly with decreasing 25(OH)D levels: 52% (<15 ng/mL), 41% (15-29 ng/mL), 27% (30-39 ng/mL), and 20% (≥40 ng/mL) (P<.001).
• Adjusted odds ratios for hypertension were 2.7 (<15 ng/mL), 2.0 (15-29 ng/mL), and 1.3 (30-39 ng/mL) compared to the ideal group (≥40 ng/mL).

Conclusions:

• Increased rates of hypertension are observed in individuals with lower 25-hydroxyvitamin D levels, starting below 40 ng/mL.
• This retrospective analysis suggests a potential link between suboptimal vitamin D status and hypertension.
• Further research is warranted to explore whether vitamin D supplementation to optimal levels can prevent or improve hypertension.