Inter-dependence of vitamin D levels with serum lipid profiles in multiple sclerosis

To assess whether vitamin D (VD) levels in multiple sclerosis (MS) patients exhibit inter-dependence with serum lipid profile variables (serum cholesterol, high-density lipoprotein or HDL, low-density lipoprotein or LDL, and triglycerides) and to investigate the associations with clinical disability measures.

The study population consisted of consecutive 178 MS patients (age: 46.6±10.6 years; disease duration: 13.8±10.3 years). The patients were assessed for fasting lipid profile and VD obtained concomitantly. Neurological disability using the Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS) was obtained within ±6 months of the lipid profile. The associations between the HDL, LDL, total cholesterol and total cholesterol to HDL ratio with deseasonalized VD levels and their relationships with EDSS and the MS Severity Score (MSSS) were analyzed using regression methods.

The cholesterol to HDL ratio was associated with the deseasonalized VD (r(p)=-0.18, p=0.019) and VD3 (r(p)=-0.17, p=0.028) levels. The probability of VD3 sufficiency was associated with HDL>60 mg/dl status (p=0.015, OR=0.42, 95% CI=0.20 to 0.86) and with total cholesterol to HDL ratio<3.5 status (p<0.001, OR=4.07, 95% CI=2.03 to 8.15). In stepwise regression models, EDSS was associated with total cholesterol to HDL ratio (p=0.008, r(p)=0.21) whereas MSSS was associated with deseasonalized 25-hydroxy VD3 (p=0.021, r(p)=-0.18). The probability of EDSS≥4.0 was also associated with total cholesterol to HDL ratio (p=0.011, OR=1.59, 95% CI=1.11 to 1.26).

The results suggest inter-dependence between the total cholesterol to HDL ratio and deseasonalized vitamin D levels in MS patients. Disability measures in MS are also associated with these inter-dependent variables.