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Vitamin D insufficiency and cardiovascular involvement in systemic sclerosis: Association with echocardiographic
Gianluca Pagnoni1, Dilia Giuggioli2,3, Marco de Pinto2
1Cardiology Unit of Emergency Department, Guglielmo da Saliceto Hospital, 29121, Piacenza, Italy.
Insights
Vitamin D insufficiency is common in Systemic Sclerosis (SSc) patients and linked to heart dysfunction. Monitoring vitamin D may help manage cardiovascular risk in SSc.
Area of Science:
- Cardiology
- Endocrinology
- Rheumatology
Background:
- Systemic sclerosis (SSc) is an autoimmune disease with high cardiovascular risk due to fibrosis and vascular dysfunction.
- The role of vitamin D in cardiovascular complications of SSc is not well understood.
- This study investigates the association between vitamin D levels and cardiac function in SSc patients.
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess the relationship between low vitamin D levels and echocardiographic indicators of ventricular dysfunction in SSc patients.
- To evaluate the association between vitamin D insufficiency and cardiovascular risk factors in SSc.
- To explore the potential impact of vitamin D on cardiovascular health in Systemic Sclerosis.
Main Methods:
- A retrospective observational study included 160 SSc patients.
- Patients were grouped based on serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D levels: insufficiency (<30 ng/mL) versus normal (≥30 ng/mL).
- Echocardiography and assessment of cardiovascular risk factors were performed.
Main Results:
- Vitamin D insufficiency was prevalent (68.9%) and associated with higher pulmonary arterial pressure, reduced TAPSE/PAPs ratio, increased interventricular septal thickness, and larger left ventricular end-diastolic diameter.
- Low vitamin D levels correlated significantly with hypertension, dyslipidemia, and overweight/obesity in SSc patients.
- No significant association was found between vitamin D insufficiency and diabetes or smoking.
Conclusions:
- Vitamin D insufficiency may contribute to cardiovascular dysfunction in Systemic Sclerosis.
- Monitoring vitamin D levels could enhance cardiovascular risk assessment in SSc patients.
- Further research is needed to determine if vitamin D supplementation improves cardiac outcomes.
Background:
Vitamin D plays several roles beyond bone metabolism, potentially protecting the cardiovascular system. Systemic sclerosis (SSc) is an autoimmune disease characterized by fibrosis and vascular dysfunction, carrying a high cardiovascular risk. However, the relationship between vitamin D insufficiency and cardiovascular involvement in SSc patients remains unclear. This study aims to assess the association between low vitamin D levels, echocardiographic parameters indicative of ventricular dysfunction, and cardiovascular risk factors in SSc patients.
Methods:
A retrospective observational study involved 160 SSc patients undergoing echocardiography and serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D measurement. Patients were categorized into two groups: vitamin D insufficiency (<30 ng/mL) and normal levels (≥30 ng/mL). Echocardiographic parameters and cardiovascular risk factors were evaluated.
Results:
Vitamin D insufficiency was detected in 68.9 % of patients. Patients with insufficient vitamin D had higher systolic pulmonary arterial pressure (PAPs; 37.68 ± 7.56 mmHg vs. 33.12 ± 6.17 mmHg; p = 0.004), reduced TAPSE/PAPs ratio (0.65 ± 0.13 vs. 0.72 ± 0.14; p = 0.021), increased interventricular septal thickness (8.17 ± 1.28 mm vs. 7.69 ± 1.18 mm; p = 0.028), and greater left ventricular end-diastolic diameter (44.06 ± 4.28 mm vs. 42.67 ± 3.44 mm; p = 0.037), indicating ventricular dysfunction. Vitamin D insufficiency significantly correlated with hypertension (OR = 2.31; p = 0.032), dyslipidemia (OR = 2.45; p = 0.015), and overweight/obesity (OR = 4.73; p = 0.002), but not with diabetes or smoking.
Conclusions:
Vitamin D insufficiency may contribute to cardiovascular dysfunction in SSc patients. Monitoring vitamin D levels might improve cardiovascular risk stratification. Further studies are necessary to determine if supplementation could enhance cardiac outcomes.
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