Vitamin D status and risk of ischemic stroke in North Indian patients

Accumulating evidence suggests that vitamin D deficiency is associated with increased risk of stroke. Contributing mechanisms have been linked to the association of vitamin D deficiency with the presence of hypertension, diabetes mellitus, and atherosclerosis, however, the evidence is conflicting.

This study sought to determine the association of vitamin D deficiency with ischemic stroke and its risk factors.

Cross-sectional case control study.

We measured serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D [25(OH) D] and intact parathyroid hormone (iPTH) levels in 73 patients of ischemic stroke, presenting within 7 days of onset of stroke and compared with 70 age and gender matched controls.

The statistical analysis was carried out using Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS Inc., Chicago, IL, version 17.0 for Windows).

The mean age of patients and controls was 59.9 ± 11.2 years and 57.9 ± 9.7 years, respectively (P = 0.26). Of 67.1% patients were men as compared to 65.7% controls (P = 0.86). There was no significant difference in the prevalence of vitamin D deficiency/insufficiency (P = 0.25), mean 25(OH) D levels (P = 0.75), and iPTH levels (P = 0.10) between cases and controls. No association of vitamin D deficiency/insufficiency was found with the prevalent risk factors in cases of ischemic stroke.

Vitamin D deficiency does not bear an association with ischemic stroke or its risk factors.