25-Hydroxyvitamin D is lower in deprived groups, but is not associated with carotid intima media thickness or plaques: results from pSoBid.
OBJECTIVE
The association of the circulating serum vitamin D metabolite 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25OHD) with atherosclerotic burden is unclear, with previous studies reporting disparate results.


METHODS
Psychological, social and biological determinants of ill health (pSoBid) is a study of participants aged 35-64 years from Glasgow who live at extremes of the socioeconomic spectrum. Vitamin D deficiency was defined as 25OHD < 25nmol/L, as per convention. Cross-sectional associations between circulating 25OHD concentrations and a range of socioeconomic, lifestyle, and biochemistry factors, as well as carotid intima media thickness (cIMT) and plaque presence were assessed in 625 participants.


RESULTS
Geometric mean levels of circulating 25OHD were higher among the least deprived (45.6 nmol/L, 1-SD range 24.4-85.5) versus most deprived (34.2 nmol/L, 1-SD range 16.9-69.2; p < 0.0001). In the least deprived group 15% were "deficient" in circulating 25OHD versus 30.8% in the most deprived (χ(2)p < 0.0001). Log 25OHD was 27% lower among smokers (p < 0.0001), 20% higher among the physically active versus inactive (p = 0.01), 2% lower per 1 kg/m(2) increase in body mass index (BMI) (p < 0.0001), and showed expected seasonal variation (χ(2)p < 0.0001). Log 25OHD was 13% lower in the most versus least deprived independent of the aforementioned lifestyle confounding factors (p = 0.03). One unit increase in log 25OHD was not associated with atherosclerotic burden in univariable models; cIMT (effect estimate 0.000 mm [95% CI -0.011, 0.012]); plaque presence (OR 0.88 [0.75, 1.03]), or in multivariable models.


CONCLUSIONS
There is no strong association of 25OHD with cIMT or plaque presence, despite strong evidence 25OHD associates with lifestyle factors and socioeconomic deprivation.
Department of Clinical Biochemistry, Glasgow Royal Infirmary, Glasgow G31 2ER, UK.
Susan
S
Knox
Paul
P
Welsh
Vladimir
V
Bezlyak
Alex
A
McConnachie
Emma
E
Boulton
Kevin A
KA
Deans
Ian
I
Ford
G David
GD
Batty
Harry
H
Burns
Jonathan
J
Cavanagh
Keith
K
Millar
Iain B
IB
McInnes
Jennifer
J
McLean
Yoga
Y
Velupillai
Paul
P
Shiels
Carol
C
Tannahill
Chris J
CJ
Packard
A
A
Michael Wallace
Naveed
N
Sattar
D000328:Adult; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000097:blood; D002343:Carotid Artery, Internal / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology*; D059168:Carotid Intima-Media Thickness; D016893:Carotid Stenosis / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000473:pathology; D016009:Chi-Square Distribution; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D016014:Linear Models; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009765:Obesity / Q000453:epidemiology; D016017:Odds Ratio; D058226:Plaque, Atherosclerotic; D011203:Poverty / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D018570:Risk Assessment; D012307:Risk Factors; D012606:Scotland / Q000453:epidemiology; D057185:Sedentary Behavior; D012907:Smoking / Q000453:epidemiology; D018608:Ultrasonography, Doppler; D014807:Vitamin D / Q000031:analogs & derivatives* / Q000097:blood; D014808:Vitamin D Deficiency / Q000097:blood / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology*
D015415:Biomarkers; D014807:Vitamin D; C104450:25-hydroxyvitamin D