Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease is associated with low levels of vitamin D.
BACKGROUND
COPD patients may be at increased risk for vitamin D (25(OH)D) deficiency, but risk factors for deficiency among COPD patients have not been extensively reported.


METHODS
Serum 25(OH)D levels were measured by liquid chromatography double mass spectrometry in subjects aged 40-76 years from Western Norway, including 433 COPD patients (GOLD stage II-IV) and 325 controls. Levels <20 ng/mL defined deficiency. Season, sex, age, body mass index (BMI), smoking, GOLD stage, exacerbation frequency, arterial oxygen tension (PaO(2)), respiratory symptoms, depression (CES-D score≥16), comorbidities (Charlson score), treatment for osteoporosis, use of inhaled steroids, and total white blood count were examined for associations with 25(OH)D in both linear and logistic regression models.


RESULTS
COPD patients had an increased risk for vitamin D deficiency compared to controls after adjustment for seasonality, age, smoking and BMI. Variables associated with lower 25(OH)D levels in COPD patients were obesity ( = -6.63), current smoking ( = -4.02), GOLD stage III- IV ( = -4.71, = -5.64), and depression ( = -3.29). Summertime decreased the risk of vitamin D deficiency (OR = 0.22).


CONCLUSIONS
COPD was associated with an increased risk of vitamin D deficiency, and important disease characteristics were significantly related to 25(OH)D levels.
Department of Thoracic Medicine, Haukeland University Hospital, Bergen, Norway. louise.persson@med.uib.no
Louise Jeanette Pauline
LJ
Persson
Marianne
M
Aanerud
Pieter Sicco
PS
Hiemstra
Jon Andrew
JA
Hardie
Per Sigvald
PS
Bakke
Tomas Mikal Lind
TM
Eagan
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001823:Body Composition; D015992:Body Mass Index; D015331:Cohort Studies; D003863:Depression / Q000097:blood / Q000150:complications; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008168:Lung / Q000503:physiopathology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009664:Norway; D029424:Pulmonary Disease, Chronic Obstructive / Q000097:blood* / Q000523:psychology*; D012044:Regression Analysis; D012306:Risk; D012307:Risk Factors; D012621:Seasons; D014807:Vitamin D / Q000097:blood*
D014807:Vitamin D