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Published on: February 26, 2013
Relation of low vitamin D to nonvalvular persistent atrial fibrillation in Chinese patients
Wei Ren Chen1, Zhi Ying Liu, Yang Shi
1Department of Cardiology, South-Building, PLA General Hospital, Beijing, China.
Insights
Low vitamin D levels are linked to a higher risk of atrial fibrillation (AF). This study found lower vitamin D in AF patients, suggesting a potential role in AF development.
Area of Science:
- Cardiology
- Endocrinology
- Public Health
Background:
- Low vitamin D status is a known risk factor for cardiovascular diseases.
- Atrial fibrillation (AF) is the most prevalent cardiac arrhythmia globally.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the association between low vitamin D levels and the occurrence of atrial fibrillation (AF).
Main Methods:
- A comparative analysis was conducted on 162 Chinese patients diagnosed with nonvalvular persistent AF and 160 healthy controls.
- Serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D [25(OH)D] levels were measured using a chemiluminescence assay.
Main Results:
- Patients with AF exhibited significantly lower serum 25(OH)D levels compared to controls (18.5 vs. 21.4 ng/mL).
- Elevated high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hsCRP) and larger left atrial diameter were observed in the AF group.
- Serum 25(OH)D showed a negative correlation with left atrial diameter, hsCRP, and pulmonary artery systolic pressure.
Conclusions:
- Low vitamin D levels are significantly associated with atrial fibrillation.
- Vitamin D deficiency may play a role in the pathogenesis of AF.
Background:
Low vitamin D status has been associated with increased risk of cardiovascular disease. Atrial fibrillation (AF) is the most common cardiac arrhythmia. We evaluated the association between low vitamin D and AF.
Methods:
We analyzed data from 162 Chinese patients with nonvalvular persistent AF and no other cardiovascular disease whose serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D [25(OH)D] levels were measured in our hospital (AF group). Healthy subjects without AF who underwent health screening at our hospital served as controls (non-AF group, n = 160). 25(OH)D was measured by chemiluminescence assay.
Results:
The serum 25(OH)D level was significantly lower in the AF group than in the non-AF group (18.5 ± 10.3 vs 21.4 ± 10.7 ng/mL, P < 0.05). The high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hsCRP) level was significantly higher in the AF group than in the non-AF group (0.35 ± 0.19 vs 0.2 ± 0.17 mg/dL, P < 0.01). The average left atrial diameter was significantly larger in the AF group than in the non-AF group (P < 0.01). The serum 25(OH)D level showed a negative correlation with left atrial diameter, hsCRP level, and pulmonary artery systolic pressure. Logistic regression analysis identified that 25(OH)D was related to AF. Patients whose vitamin D levels were in the lowest 25(OH)D category (<20 ng/mL) were more often in the AF group, with their incidence about twofold higher than those in the highest 25(OH)D category (>30 ng/mL).
Conclusions:
Low vitamin D levels are associated with AF. It may be involved in its development.
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