Association between plasma Vitamin B5 levels and all-cause mortality: A nested case-control study.

Area of Science:

• Nutritional Epidemiology
• Cardiovascular Health
• Gerontology

Background:

• Hypertension is a major risk factor for mortality worldwide.
• The role of specific micronutrients, like vitamin B5 (pantothenic acid), in cardiovascular health and mortality risk is not fully understood.
• Understanding nutrient associations in diverse populations, such as Chinese adults, is crucial for public health.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the prospective association between plasma vitamin B5 concentrations and all-cause mortality in Chinese adults with hypertension.
• To identify potential effect modifiers, such as age and folate status, on this association.

Main Methods:

• A nested case-control study was conducted within the China Stroke Primary Prevention Trial.
• Included 505 deaths and 505 matched controls, with a median follow-up of 4.5 years.
• Plasma vitamin B5 levels were measured, and mortality risk was analyzed across quintiles, adjusting for potential confounders.

Main Results:

• Mean plasma vitamin B5 was significantly higher in cases (death) than controls (43.7 ng/mL vs. 40.9 ng/mL, p=0.001).
• Higher quintiles of vitamin B5 were associated with increased all-cause mortality risk; the highest quintile (Q5) showed a 77% increased risk (OR=1.77).
• The association was more pronounced in older adults (p-interaction=0.037) and those with normal folate levels (p-interaction=0.019).

Conclusions:

• Elevated baseline plasma vitamin B5 levels may represent a risk factor for all-cause mortality in Chinese hypertensive adults.
• Older age and normal folate status appear to modify this risk, suggesting specific subgroups may be more vulnerable.
• Findings warrant further investigation and may inform future clinical and nutritional guidelines for managing hypertension.