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Circulating 25-hydroxyvitamin D concentration and cause-specific mortality in the Melbourne Collaborative Cohort
Alicia K Heath1, Allison M Hodge2, Peter R Ebeling3
1School of Public Health, Imperial College London, London, UK; Centre for Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Melbourne School of Population and Global Health, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia.
The Journal of Steroid Biochemistry and Molecular Biology
|February 3, 2020
Summary
Higher vitamin D levels may reduce the risk of death from cancer, respiratory diseases, and digestive diseases. This study investigated vitamin D
Area of Science:
- Nutritional Epidemiology
- Public Health
- Biochemistry
Background:
- Vitamin D deficiency is linked to increased all-cause mortality, but its impact on specific causes of death requires further investigation.
- Understanding these specific associations can inform public health strategies and clinical recommendations.
Purpose of the Study:
- To examine the relationship between circulating 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25(OH)D) concentrations and cause-specific mortality.
- To identify specific diseases for which vitamin D status may be a significant risk factor for mortality.
Main Methods:
- A case-cohort study design was employed within the Melbourne Collaborative Cohort Study (MCCS).
- Participants with no pre-baseline cancer diagnosis and available dried blood spot samples were included.
- Cox regression analysis, utilizing Barlow weights and robust standard errors, was used to analyze data from deceased participants (n=2307) and a subcohort (n=2923) over a 14-year follow-up period.
Main Results:
- A significant inverse association was observed between 25(OH)D concentration and mortality from cancer (HR per 25 nmol/L increment = 0.88; 95% CI 0.78-0.99), particularly colorectal cancer (HR = 0.75; 95% CI 0.57-0.99).
- Higher 25(OH)D levels were also associated with reduced risk of death from respiratory diseases (HR = 0.62; 95% CI 0.43-0.88), especially COPD (HR = 0.53; 95% CI 0.30-0.94), and digestive diseases (HR = 0.44; 95% CI 0.26-0.76).
- Mortality estimates for diabetes and cardiovascular diseases lacked statistical precision.
Conclusions:
- The findings suggest a potential role for vitamin D in preventing mortality related to certain cancers, respiratory conditions, and digestive disorders.
- Further research may elucidate the mechanisms underlying these associations and inform targeted interventions.
- Maintaining adequate vitamin D status could be a modifiable factor in reducing the risk of death from specific chronic diseases.
