Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 9, 2026

A Method of Trigonometric Modelling of Seasonal Variation Demonstrated with Multiple Sclerosis Relapse Data
Published on: December 9, 2015
Plasma 25-hydroxyvitamin D, lung function and risk of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease
Shoaib Afzal1, Peter Lange, Stig E Bojesen
1Department of Clinical Biochemistry, Herlev Hospital, Copenhagen University Hospital, , Herlev, Denmark.
Background:
25-hydroxyvitamin D (25(OH)D) may be associated with lung function through modulation of pulmonary protease-antiprotease imbalance, airway inflammation, lung remodelling and oxidative stress. We examined the association of plasma 25(OH)D levels with lung function, lung function decline and risk of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).
Methods:
Plasma 25(OH)D was measured in 10 116 participants in the Copenhagen City Heart Study and in 8391 participants in the Copenhagen General Population Study. In the former study, up to three measurements of lung function spanning 20 years allowed analyses of lung function decline.
Results:
In both cohorts, forced vital capacity in % of predicted was 7% lower and forced expiratory volume in 1 s in % of predicted was 7-10% lower for lowest versus highest decile of 25(OH)D (ptrend≤1×10(-28)). In prospective analyses, participants in the lower versus higher 25(OH)D quintiles had a faster decline in forced expiratory volume in 1 s % predicted (pinteraction=1×10(-7)) and forced vital capacity % predicted (pinteraction=8×10(-8)). In cross-sectional analyses, multivariable adjusted ORs for COPD were 2.30 (95% CI 1.55 to 3.41) and 3.06 (1.97 to 4.76) for lowest versus highest quintile in the Copenhagen City Heart Study using Global Initiative for Chronic Obstructive Lung Disease (GOLD) and lower limit of normal criteria. The corresponding ORs were 1.82 (1.13 to 2.92) and 2.23 (1.35 to 3.69) in the Copenhagen General Population Study. In prospective analyses, corresponding multivariable adjusted HRs for developing COPD were 1.58 (1.05 to 2.40) and 2.00 (1.19 to 3.36).
Conclusions:
We observed a novel association of lower plasma 25(OH)D levels with faster decline in lung function and with a higher risk of COPD in prospective analyses.
Related Concept Videos
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease I: Introduction
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease-I: Introduction
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease-IV: Assessement and Diagnostic Studies
Medical History
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease-III: Symptoms and Complications.
Symptoms of COPD can be classified as primary or systemic. Primary symptoms relate to reduced airflow, while systemic or extrapulmonary symptoms relate to COPD's broader impact on the body.
Primary Symptoms of COPD:
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease
Smoking is a primary risk factor for COPD, with over 80% of patients having a history of it. Patients typically experience progressive dyspnea or labored breathing, frequent coughing, and recurrent pulmonary infections. Many eventually succumb to respiratory failure, characterized by...
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease-II: Pathophysiology
Chronic Inflammation
