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Factors affecting vitamin D status in outpatients with abdominal aortic aneurysm and peripheral artery disease- a
Dagmara Adamska-Tomaszewska1, Piotr Kocełak2, Aleksander J Owczarek3
1Pathophysiology Unit, Department of Pathophysiology, Faculty of Medical Sciences in Katowice, The Medical University of Silesia in Katowice, Poland; Department of Paediatrics, Medical University of Silesia, Katowice, Poland.
Insights
Vitamin D deficiency is common in patients with abdominal aortic aneurysms (AAA) and peripheral artery disease (PAD). Past stroke episodes are linked to increased vitamin D deficiency in these patients.
Area of Science:
- Cardiovascular Medicine
- Endocrinology
- Nutritional Science
Background:
- Vitamin D (VD) deficiency is a potential risk factor for atherosclerosis and aortic aneurysms.
- VD deficiency may contribute to arterial wall degeneration by affecting collagen and elastin fibers.
- This study investigates VD status in patients with abdominal aortic aneurysms (AAA) and peripheral artery disease (PAD).
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess vitamin D status in outpatients with AAA and PAD who are not receiving VD supplementation.
- To identify factors influencing serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25-OH-D) levels in these patient groups.
- To compare VD deficiency rates between patients with AAA and PAD.
Main Methods:
- A cross-sectional study involving 59 outpatients with AAA and 150 with PAD.
- Serum levels of 25-OH-D, intact parathyroid hormone (iPTH), phosphorus, and calcium were measured.
- VD status was categorized using standard cut-offs for serum 25-OH-D.
Main Results:
- Serum 25-OH-D levels were comparable between AAA and PAD patients.
- Vitamin D deficiency was observed in 25.4% of AAA patients and 41.8% of PAD patients (p < 0.05).
- Multiple regression analysis indicated that a history of stroke episodes was associated with an increased risk of VD deficiency (OR = 2.80).
Conclusions:
- The prevalence of vitamin D deficiency in AAA outpatients is similar to that in PAD outpatients.
- Past stroke episodes are significantly associated with vitamin D deficiency in both AAA and PAD patients, independent of sun exposure and diet.
- Secondary hyperparathyroidism was uncommon in both groups.
Background And Aims:
Vitamin D (VD) deficiency is considered an important risk factor for the development of atherosclerosis and aortic aneurysms. The deficiency is claimed to enhance degeneration and remodeling of collagen and elastin fibers in the artery wall, leading to its weakening and progressive dilatation. This study aimed to assess vitamin D status, in outpatients with abdominal aneurysms (AAA) and peripheral artery disease (PAD) not treated with VD, and factors affecting serum 25-OH-D levels.
Methods And Results:
This cross-sectional study involved 59 outpatients with AAA and 150 with PAD. AAA was defined as local dilation of the aorta diameter >30 mm in imaging. None of the patients was prescribed VD containing medicines. Serum 25-OH, iPTH, phosphorus and calcium levels were assessed in all study participants. VD status was categorized according to commonly used cut-offs for serum 25-OH-D (<20 ng/mL - deficiency, <30 ng/mL -insufficiency). Serum 25-OH-D levels were similar in patient with AAA and PAD [1-3Q: 26.2 (18.8-37.6) vs 21.8 (15.9-31.4) ng/mL; p = 0.30], with deficiency noted in 25.4% with AAA and 41.8% with PAD (p < 0.05). Multiple regression analysis revealed that VD deficiency was explained by past stroke episodes [OR = 2.80 (95%CI: 1.22-6.41)]. Secondary hyperparathyroidism was diagnosed in 1.7% of patients with AAA and 1.9% with PAD.
Conclusions:
The frequency of VD deficiency in outpatient with AAA is not greater than in those with PAD. Past stroke episode is associated with an increased occurrence of VD deficiency in both outpatients with AAA and PAD other than sun exposure and diet.
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