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25-hydroxyvitamin D and symptomatic ischemic stroke: an original study and meta-analysis
Peter Brøndum-Jacobsen1, Børge G Nordestgaard, Peter Schnohr
1Department of Clinical Biochemistry, Herlev Hospital, Copenhagen University Hospital, Denmark.
Annals of Neurology
|December 11, 2012
Summary
Low vitamin D levels are linked to a higher risk of ischemic stroke. This study found that lower plasma 25-hydroxyvitamin D concentrations correlate with an increased likelihood of experiencing an ischemic stroke.
Area of Science:
- Neurology
- Endocrinology
- Public Health
Background:
- Vitamin D plays a crucial role in numerous physiological processes.
- Low vitamin D status is a widespread concern with potential health implications.
- The association between vitamin D and stroke risk requires further investigation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the association between plasma 25-hydroxyvitamin D concentrations and the risk of symptomatic ischemic stroke.
- To determine if vitamin D deficiency increases the risk of stroke in the general population.
Main Methods:
- Prospective cohort study of 10,170 individuals from the Copenhagen City Heart Study with 21 years of follow-up.
- Measurement of plasma 25-hydroxyvitamin D levels.
- Meta-analysis of 10 studies including 58,384 participants and 2,644 ischemic stroke events.
Main Results:
- A stepwise increase in ischemic stroke risk was observed with decreasing plasma 25-hydroxyvitamin D concentrations (p for trend ≤ 2 × 10(-3)).
- Individuals in the lowest vs. highest quartiles of 25-hydroxyvitamin D had a multivariate adjusted hazard ratio of 1.46 for ischemic stroke.
- No significant association was found between 25-hydroxyvitamin D concentrations and hemorrhagic stroke risk.
Conclusions:
- Decreasing plasma 25-hydroxyvitamin D concentrations are associated with a stepwise increasing risk of symptomatic ischemic stroke.
- The findings from this large prospective study were supported by a meta-analysis, strengthening the evidence for this association.
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