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Published on: August 28, 2018
Relationship between coronary atherosclerosis in coronary computed tomography angiography and serum vitamin D level
Ah-Young Lee1, Jin-Kyu Kim1, Jee-Hyun Kang1
1Department of Family Medicine, Konyang University Hospital, Daejeon, South Korea.
Insights
Low vitamin D levels are associated with coronary artery plaque in individuals without prior heart disease. This study found lower serum 25-hydroxy vitamin D (25(OH)D) in those with plaque, suggesting an inverse relationship.
Area of Science:
- Cardiovascular Medicine
- Endocrinology
- Radiology
Background:
- Vitamin D deficiency is linked to cardiovascular disease development.
- The relationship between vitamin D levels and coronary artery plaque in individuals without diagnosed coronary artery disease (CAD) requires further investigation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To examine the association between serum vitamin D levels and the presence of coronary artery plaque.
- To identify potential risk factors associated with coronary artery plaque formation.
Main Methods:
- A total of 339 participants underwent health examinations, including serum 25-hydroxy vitamin D (25(OH)D) level measurement and coronary computed tomography angiography (CCTA).
- Participants were assessed for the presence of coronary artery plaque and other cardiovascular risk factors such as diabetes, hypertension, and dyslipidemia.
Main Results:
- 106 out of 339 participants had coronary artery plaques.
- Participants with plaque had significantly lower serum 25(OH)D levels (17.7 ± 7.72 ng/mL) compared to those without plaque (19.6 ± 7.12 ng/mL).
- Coronary artery plaque was independently associated with lower 25(OH)D levels, age, and sex.
Conclusions:
- A relatively low serum vitamin D level was observed in participants with coronary artery plaque.
- An inverse relationship exists between plaque formation and serum 25(OH)D levels, highlighting vitamin D's potential role in cardiovascular health.
Objectives:
Vitamin D deficiency has been shown to influence the development of some cardiovascular disease. In this study, the association between the existence of coronary artery plaque and vitamin D was examined among participants who were not previously diagnosed with coronary artery disease.
Methods:
A total of 339 participants (246 men and 93 women) who visited a health examination center for check-up including blood test for serum vitamin D level and coronary computed tomography angiography (CCTA) were selected for this study.
Results:
Among the total 339 participants, 106 displayed coronary artery plaques. The serum 25-hydroxy vitamin D (25(OH)D) level of the group with plaque was lower than that of the group without (17.7 ± 7.72 ng/mL vs. 19.6 ± 7.12 ng/mL, P = 0.0316). The group with plaque had higher incidence rates of diabetes mellitus, hypertension, and dyslipidemia than that without (P = 0.0078, P = 0.0065, and P = 0.0174, respectively). The former displayed higher serum glucose and glycated hemoglobin levels than the latter (P = 0.0055 and P = 0.0137, respectively). The group with plaque showed higher systolic and diastolic blood pressure than that without (P < 0.0001 and P = 0.0012, respectively). Stepwise multivariate logistic regression analysis revealed that 25(OH)D (coefficient, -0.06; odd ratio, 0.9433; 95% confidence interval, 0.8967-0.9924), age, and sex were independently related with presence of coronary artery plaque.
Conclusions:
Relatively low vitamin D level was observed among participants with plaque, which was determined through CCTA during a health examination. Plaque formation and serum 25(OH)D level showed inverse relationship.
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