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Serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D and the risk of stroke in Hong Kong Chinese

Raymond Y H Leung, Yi Han, Chor-Wing Sing

  • 1Ching-Lung Cheung, PhD, Department of Pharmacology and Pharmacy, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, Tel.: +852 2831 5085, Fax: +852 2816 2095,

Thrombosis and Haemostasis
|October 28, 2016
PubMed

Insights

Low vitamin D levels are linked to a higher risk of ischemic stroke, particularly in those with the lowest levels. Optimal vitamin D levels for stroke risk reduction appear to be between 70-80 nmol/l.

Area of Science:

  • Endocrinology
  • Neurology
  • Epidemiology

Background:

  • Vitamin D deficiency is linked to cardiovascular diseases, but its association with stroke risk is unclear.
  • Existing research on vitamin D and stroke presents inconclusive findings.
  • Serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D [25(OH)D] is a key indicator of vitamin D status.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the association between serum 25(OH)D levels and the risk of stroke.
  • To determine if vitamin D status influences the risk of ischemic versus hemorrhagic stroke.
  • To identify potential optimal vitamin D levels for reducing stroke risk.

Main Methods:

  • A cohort study of 3,458 participants aged ≥45 from the Hong Kong Osteoporosis Study (1995-2010).
  • Follow-up via electronic medical records to identify stroke events (ischemic and hemorrhagic) using ICD-9 codes.
  • Multivariable Cox-proportional hazard regression and penalized regression splines were used for analysis.

Main Results:

  • Low vitamin D levels (quintiles 1 and 4) were significantly associated with an increased risk of stroke compared to the highest quintile (Quintile 1: HR 1.78; Quintile 4: HR 1.61).
  • This association was consistent in both men and women.
  • The increased risk was specifically linked to ischemic stroke, not hemorrhagic stroke.
  • A reverse J-shaped association was observed, with the lowest stroke risk at 25(OH)D levels of 70-80 nmol/l.

Conclusions:

  • Low serum vitamin D levels are associated with an elevated risk of ischemic stroke.
  • The optimal range for serum 25(OH)D to minimize stroke risk appears to be 70-80 nmol/l.
  • Further research is needed to clarify the relationship between high vitamin D levels and stroke risk.

Keywords:
Strokeepidemiological studiesvitamin D

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