title: Serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D levels are correlated with mitral valve calcification score in patients with rheumatic mitral stenosis.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Rheumatic mitral stenosis (RMS) is a chronic disease related to autoimmune heart valve damage after streptococcal infection. Epidemiological evidence supports an association between vitamin D and the susceptibility and severity of autoimmune disorders. The study aim was to assess the serum levels of 25-hydroxyvitamin D and their correlation with Wilkins calcification score in patients with RMS.
  
  
  METHODS
  Thirty-four patients with RMS and 29 healthy age- and gender-matched controls were enrolled in the study. All subjects underwent transthoracic echocardiography after a complete medical evaluation and laboratory examination. The planimetric mitral valve area and Wilkins score were evaluated for all patients, and biochemical parameters and serum levels of 25-hydroxyvitamin D and calcitriol were determined.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The mean patient age was similar in the RMS and control groups (50 +/- 10 versus 52 +/- 10 years; p = NS). The serum level of 25-hydroxyvitamin D was significantly lower in RMS patients than in controls (8.6 ng/ml; range: 4.9-26.3 ng/ml versus 12.3 ng/ml; range: 4-158 ng/ml; p = 0.031). A significantly moderate inverse correlation was identified between the serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D level and the Wilkins score (r = -0.567, p < 0.001), but no correlation was identified between 25-hydroxyvitamin D levels and other echocardiographic parameters of mitral stenosis. The serum level of calcitriol was also significantly lower in RMS patients than in controls (19.8 pg/ml; range: 16.0-54.6 pg/ml versus 26.1 pg/ml; range: 13.2-47.0 pg/ml; p = 0.013).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The study results showed that serum levels of 25-hydroxyvitamin D were significantly lower in RMS patients than in controls, and also correlated with the Wilkins calcification score. Thus, a link may exist between 25-hydroxyvitamin D and the calcification process in RMS.
authors.affiliation: Department of Cardiology, Kecioren Teaching and Research Hospital, Ankara, Turkey. byavuzmd@gmail.com
authors.forename: Bunyamin
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Yavuz
authors.forename: Omer
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Sen
authors.forename: Onur Sinan
authors.initials: OS
authors.lastname: Deveci
authors.forename: Kadir Okhan
authors.initials: KO
authors.lastname: Akin
authors.forename: Kursat
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Dal
authors.forename: Naim
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Ata
authors.forename: Derun Taner
authors.initials: DT
authors.lastname: Ertugrul
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D002114:Calcinosis / Q000097:blood*; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D008946:Mitral Valve Stenosis / Q000097:blood*; D014807:Vitamin D / Q000031:analogs & derivatives* / Q000097:blood
chemical_list: D014807:Vitamin D; C104450:25-hydroxyvitamin D