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Published on: October 22, 2020
Vitamin D deficiency, smoking, and lung function in the Normative Aging Study.
Nancy E Lange1, David Sparrow, Pantel Vokonas
1Channing Laboratory, Brigham and Women's Hospital, 181 Longwood Avenue, Boston, MA 02115, USA. renal@channing.harvard.edu.
Summary
Vitamin D deficiency worsens lung function decline in smokers. Maintaining sufficient vitamin D may protect against smoking-related lung damage.
Area of Science:
- Pulmonary Medicine
- Nutritional Immunology
Background:
- Vitamin D possesses immunomodulatory and anti-inflammatory properties.
- Cigarette smoke may alter vitamin D's effects on lung function.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the impact of vitamin D deficiency and smoking on lung function.
- To assess the effect on lung function decline over time.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of 626 men from the Normative Aging Study (1984-2003).
- Measurement of 25-hydroxyvitamin D levels and spirometry.
- Definition of vitamin D deficiency as serum level ≤ 20 ng/ml.
- Application of multivariable linear regression and mixed effects models.
Main Results:
- No overall effect of vitamin D deficiency on lung function or its decline.
- Significant effect modification by vitamin D status on smoking's impact on lung function.
- Lower lung function in current smokers with vitamin D deficiency (cross-sectional).
- More rapid FEV(1) decline per pack-year in vitamin D deficient smokers (longitudinal).
Conclusions:
- Vitamin D deficiency is linked to reduced lung function and accelerated decline in elderly male smokers.
- Sufficient vitamin D levels may offer protection against smoking-induced lung damage.
- Further research is needed to confirm these findings in diverse populations and exposures.
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