Live Longer with Vitamin D?

The global burden of vitamin D deficiency or insufficiency is of great concern for public health. According to recent studies, vitamin D deficiency is an important etiological factor in the pathogenesis of many chronic diseases. Whether or not there is a connection between 25-hydoxyvitamin D (25(OH)D) status and overall mortality is a matter of considerable debate. A new meta-analysis confirmed that low 25(OH)D levels were associated with a significant increased risk for all-cause mortality. Individuals with severe vitamin D deficiency have almost twice the mortality rate as those with 25(OH)D level ≥ 30 ng/mL, (≥75 nmol/L). Unlike previous meta-analyses which suggested that serum 25(OH)D > 50 ng/mL was associated with increased mortality, this new analysis found that there was no increased risk even when 25(OH)D levels were ≥70 ng/mL. In general, closer attention should be paid to vitamin D deficiency in medical and pharmaceutical practice than has been the case hitherto. The results of these studies are consistent with the recommendation to improve the general vitamin D status in children and adults by means of a healthy approach to sunlight exposure, consumption of foods containing vitamin D and supplementation with vitamin D preparations.     

Recent Information on Vitamin D Deficiency in an Adult Korean Population Visiting Local Clinics and Hospitals

We retrospectively reviewed serum 25-hydroxy vitamin D (25(OH)D) test results from an adult Korean population visiting local clinics and hospitals between July 2017 and December 2021 to gather recent information on the prevalence of vitamin D deficiency. The prevalence of vitamin D deficiency status was investigated according to criteria offered by various clinical guidelines. During the study period, 180,289 subjects (29,658 men and 150,631 women) were tested for 25(OH)D. The overall prevalence rates of vitamin D deficiency status based on 25(OH)D level were as follows: 0.4% for <5 ng/mL, 12.5% for <10 ng/mL, 20.6% for <12 ng/mL, 49.4% for <20 ng/mL, and <75.3% for <30 ng/mL. Women tested their 25(OH)D level more frequently than men, and the overall prevalence of 25(OH)D < 10 ng/mL was higher among women than men, while that of 25(OH)D <30 ng/mL was lower among women than men. Among age groups, the prevalence of 25(OH)D <30 ng/mL was higher in younger patients (20s–40s, 79.6–85.5%) than older ones (≥50 years, 62.6–69.2%). The overall prevalence of vitamin D deficiency decreased over time from 2018 to 2021. Future studies are needed to clarify the clinical impact of this change.     

Low 25(OH)D Level Is Associated with Severe Course and Poor Prognosis in COVID-19

We evaluated associations between serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D [25(OH)D] level and severity of new coronavirus infection (COVID-19) in hospitalized patients. We assessed serum 25(OH)D level in 133 patients aged 21–93 years. Twenty-five (19%) patients had severe disease, 108 patients (81%) had moderate disease, and 18 (14%) patients died. 25(OH)D level ranged from 3.0 to 97.0 ng/mL (median, 13.5 [25%; 75%, 9.6; 23.3] ng/mL). Vitamin D deficiency was diagnosed in 90 patients, including 37 with severe deficiency. In patients with severe course of disease, 25(OH)D level was lower (median, 9.7 [25%; 75%, 6.0; 14.9] ng/mL), and vitamin D deficiency was more common than in patients with moderate course (median, 14.6 [25%; 75%, 10.6; 24.4] ng/mL, p = 0.003). In patients who died, 25(OH)D was 9.6 [25%; 75%, 6.0; 11.5] ng/mL, compared with 14.8 [25%; 75%, 10.1; 24.3] ng/mL in discharged patients (p = 0.001). Severe vitamin D deficiency was associated with increased risk of COVID-19 severity and fatal outcome. The threshold for 25(OH)D level associated with increased risk of severe course was 11.7 ng/mL. Approximately the same 25(OH)D level, 10.9 ng/mL, was associated with increased risk of mortality. Thus, most COVID-19 patients have vitamin D deficiency; severe vitamin D deficiency is associated with increased risk of COVID-19 severity and fatal outcome.     

Vitamin D Status and Gestational Diabetes in Russian Pregnant Women in the Period between 2012 and 2021: A Nested Case–Control Study

Several meta-analyses found an association between low maternal serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25(OH)D) level and gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM). However, some of them reported significant heterogeneity. We examined the association of serum 25(OH)D concentration measured in the first and in the second halves of pregnancy with the development of GDM in Russian women surveyed in the periods of 2012–2014 and 2018–2021. We conducted a case–control study (including 318 pregnant women) nested on two previous studies. In 2012–2014, a total of 214 women (83 GDM and 131 controls) were enrolled before 15 weeks of gestation and maternal serum 25(OH)D concentrations were measured twice: at 8th–14th week of gestation and simultaneously with two-hour 75 g oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) at 24th–32nd week of gestation. In the period of 2018–2021, 104 women (56 GDM and 48 controls) were included after OGTT and 25(OH)D concentrations were measured at 24th–32nd week of gestation. Median 25(OH)D levels were 20.0 [15.1–25.7] vs. 20.5 [14.5–27.5] ng/mL (p = 0.565) in GDM and control group in the first half of pregnancy and 25.3 [19.8–33.0] vs. 26.7 [20.8–36.8] ng/mL (p = 0.471) in the second half of pregnancy, respectively. The prevalence rates for vitamin D deficiency (25(OH)D levels < 20 ng/mL) were 49.4% and 45.8% (p = 0.608) in the first half of pregnancy and 26.2% vs. 22.1% (p = 0.516) in the second half of pregnancy in women who developed GDM and in women without GDM, respectively. The frequency of vitamin D supplements intake during pregnancy increased in 2018–2021 compared to 2012–2014 (p = 0.001). However, the third trimester 25(OH)D levels and prevalence of vitamin D deficiency (25.5 vs. 23.1, p = 0.744) did not differ in women examined in the periods of 2012–2014 and 2018–2021. To conclude, there was no association between gestational diabetes risk and maternal 25(OH)D measured both in the first and in the second halves of pregnancy. The increased prevalence of vitamin D supplements intake during pregnancy by 2018–2021 did not lead to higher levels of 25(OH)D.     

Vitamin D Status in Pediatric and Young Adult Cystic Fibrosis Patients. Are the New Recommendations Effective?

Introduction: In recent years, guidelines for vitamin D supplementation have been updated and prophylactic recommended doses have been increased in patients with cystic fibrosis (CF). Objective: To evaluate safety and efficacy of these new recommendations. Results: Two cohorts of pancreatic insufficient CF patients were compared before (cohort 1: 179 patients) and after (cohort 2: 71 patients) American CF Foundation and European CF Society recommendations were published. Cohort 2 patients received higher Vitamin D doses: 1509 (1306–1711 95% CI) vs 1084 (983–1184 95% CI) IU/Day (p < 0.001), had higher 25 OH vitamin D levels: 30.6 (27.9–33.26 95% CI) vs. 27.4 (25.9–28.8 95% CI) ng/mL (p = 0.028), and had a lower prevalence of insufficient vitamin D levels (<30 ng/mL): 48% vs 65% (p = 0.011). Adjusted by confounding factors, patients in cohort 1 had a higher risk of vitamin D insufficiency: OR 2.23 (1.09–4.57 95% CI) (p = 0.028). Conclusion: After the implementation of new guidelines, CF patients received higher doses of vitamin D and a risk of vitamin D insufficiency decreased. Despite this, almost a third of CF patients still do not reach sufficient serum calcidiol levels.     

25-Hydroxyvitamin D and Its Relationship with Autonomic Dysfunction Using Time- and Frequency-Domain Parameters of Heart Rate Variability in Korean Populations: A Cross-Sectional Study

Previous studies have demonstrated that reduced heart rate variability (HRV) and hypovitaminosis D are associated with cardiovascular disease (CVD). However, few reports have investigated the effects of vitamin D on HRV. This cross-sectional study analyzed serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25(OH)D) and HRV indices using 5-min R-R interval recordings with an automatic three-channel electrocardiography in healthy subjects (103 males and 73 females). Standard deviation of N-N interval (SDNN), square root of mean squared differences of successive N-N intervals (RMSSD), total power (TP), very low frequency (VLF), low frequency (LF), and high frequency (HF) were reported. The mean age of subjects was 55.3 ± 11.3 years and the mean 25(OH)D level was 21.2 ± 9.9 ng/mL. In a multiple linear regression model, 25(OH)D was positively correlated with SDNN (β = 0.240, p < 0.002), and LF (β = 0.144, p = 0.044). Vitamin D deficiency (25(OH)D < 15 ng/mL) was associated with decreased SDNN (<30 m/s) (OR, 3.07; 95% confidence interval (CI), 1.32–7.14; p = 0.014) after adjusting for covariates. We found that lower 25(OH)D levels were associated with lower HRV, suggesting a possible explanation for the higher risk of CVD in populations with hypovitaminosis D.     

Serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D Concentration Significantly Decreases in Patients with COVID-19 Pneumonia during the First 48 Hours after Hospital Admission

It is unclear how ongoing inflammation in Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) affects 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25[OH]D) concentration. The objective of our study was to examine serum 25(OH)D levels during COVID-19 pneumonia. Patients were admitted between 1 November and 31 December 2021. Blood samples were taken on admission (day 0) and every 24 h for the subsequent four days (day 1–4). On admission, 59% of patients were 25(OH)D sufficient (>30 ng/mL), and 41% had 25(OH)D inadequacy (<30 ng/mL). A significant fall in mean 25(OH)D concentration from admission to day 2 (first 48 h) was observed (30.7 ng/mL vs. 26.4 ng/mL; p < 0.0001). No subsequent significant change in 25(OH)D concentration was observed between day 2 and 3 (26.4 ng/mL vs. 25.9 ng/mL; p = 0.230) and day 3 and day 4 (25.8 ng/mL vs. 25.9 ng/mL; p = 0.703). The absolute 25(OH)D change between hospital admission and day 4 was 16% (4.8 ng/mL; p < 0.0001). On day 4, the number of patients with 25(OH)D inadequacy increased by 18% (p = 0.018). Therefore, serum 25(OH)D concentration after hospital admission in acutely ill COVID-19 patients should be interpreted with caution. Whether low 25(OH)D in COVID-19 reflects tissue level vitamin D deficiency or represents only a laboratory phenomenon remains to be elucidated in further prospective trials of vitamin D supplementation.     

Vitamin D Status and Related Factors in Newborns in Shanghai,China

With the increasing recognition of the importance of the non-skeletal effects of vitamin D (VitD), more and more attention has been drawn to VitD status in early life. However, the VitD status of newborns and factors that influence VitD levels in Shanghai, China, remain unclear. A total of 1030 pregnant women were selected from two hospitals in Shanghai, one of the largest cities in China located at 31 degrees north latitude. Umbilical cord serum concentrations of 25-hydroxy vitamin D [25(OH)D] were measured by LC-MS-MS, and questionnaires were used to collect information. The median cord serum 25(OH)D concentration was 22.4 ng/mL; the concentration lower than 20 ng/mL accounted for 36.3% of the participants, and the concentration lower than 30 ng/mL for 84.1%. A multivariable logistic regression model showed that the determinants of low 25(OH)D status were being born during autumn or winter months and a lack of VitD-related multivitamin supplementation. The relative risk was 1.7 for both autumn (95% CI, 1.1–2.6) and winter (95% CI, 1.1–2.5) births (p < 0.05). VitD-related multivitamin supplementation more than once a day during pregnancy reduced the risk of VitD deficiency [adjusted OR (aOR) = 0.6, 95% CI (0.45–1.0) for VitD supplementation] (p < 0.05). VitD deficiency and insufficiency are common in newborns in Shanghai, China, and are independently associated with season and VitD supplementation. Our findings may assist future efforts to correct low levels of 25(OH)D in Shanghai mothers and their newborn children.     

High Prevalence of Vitamin D Deficiency in Infertile Women Referring for Assisted Reproduction

A comprehensive analysis of the vitamin D status of infertile women is the first step in understanding hypovitaminosis impact on reproductive potential. We sought to determine vitamin D profiles of women attending an infertility center and to investigate non-dietary determinants of vitamin D status in this population. In this cross-sectional analysis, a cohort of 1072 women (mean age ± standard deviation 36.3 ± 4.4 years) attending an academic infertility center was used to examine serum 25-hydroxy-vitamin D (25(OH)D) levels in relation to demographic characteristics, seasons and general health risk factors. Both unadjusted and adjusted levels of serum 25(OH)D were examined. Median 25(OH)D concentration was below 30 ng/mL for 89% of the entire year. Over the whole year, 6.5% of patients had 25(OH)D levels ≤10 ng/mL, 40.1% ≤20 ng/mL, and 77.4% ≤30 ng/mL. Global solar radiation was weakly correlated with 25(OH)D levels. At multivariable analysis, 25(OH)D levels were inversely associated with BMI; conversely, 25(OH)D levels were positively associated with height and endometriosis history. Serum 25(OH)D levels are highly deficient in women seeking medical help for couple’s infertility. Levels are significantly associated with body composition, seasonal modifications and causes of infertility. Importantly, this deficiency status may last during pregnancy with more severe consequences.     

Effects of Vitamin D Supplementation on 24-Hour Blood Pressure in Patients with Low 25-Hydroxyvitamin D Levels: A Randomized Controlled Trial

Accumulating evidence suggests that potential cardiovascular benefits of vitamin D supplementation may be restricted to individuals with very low 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25(OH)D) concentrations; the effect of vitamin D on blood pressure (BP) remains unclear. We addressed this issue in a post hoc analysis of the double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled Styrian Vitamin D Hypertension Trial (2011–2014) with 200 hypertensive patients with 25(OH)D levels <30 ng/mL. We evaluated whether 2800 IU of vitamin D3/day or placebo (1:1) for 8 weeks affects 24-hour systolic ambulatory BP in patients with 25(OH)D concentrations <20 ng/mL, <16 ng/mL, and <12 ng/mL and whether achieved 25(OH)D concentrations were associated with BP measures. Taking into account correction for multiple testing, p values < 0.0026 were considered significant. No significant treatment effects on 24-hour BP were observed when different baseline 25(OH)D thresholds were used (all p-values > 0.30). However, there was a marginally significant trend towards an inverse association between the achieved 25(OH)D level with 24-hour systolic BP (−0.196 per ng/mL 25(OH)D, 95% CI (−0.325 to −0.067); p = 0.003). In conclusion, we could not document the antihypertensive effects of vitamin D in vitamin D-deficient individuals, but the association between achieved 25(OH)D concentrations and BP warrants further investigations on cardiovascular benefits of vitamin D in severe vitamin D deficiency.     

Applying Machine Learning to Determine 25(OH)D Threshold Levels Using Data from the AMATERASU Vitamin D Supplementation Trial in Patients with Digestive Tract Cancer

Some controversy remains on thresholds for deficiency or sufficiency of serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25(OH)D) levels. Moreover, 25(OH)D levels sufficient for bone health might differ from those required for cancer survival. This study aimed to explore these 25(OH)D threshold levels by applying the machine learning method of multivariable adaptive regression splines (MARS) in post hoc analyses using data from the AMATERASU trial, which randomly assigned Japanese patients with digestive tract cancer to receive vitamin D or placebo supplementation. Using MARS, threshold 25(OH)D levels were estimated as 17 ng/mL for calcium and 29 ng/mL for parathyroid hormone (PTH). Vitamin D supplementation increased calcium levels in patients with baseline 25(OH)D levels ≤17 ng/mL, suggesting deficiency for bone health, but not in those >17 ng/mL. Vitamin D supplementation improved 5-year relapse-free survival (RFS) compared with placebo in patients with intermediate 25(OH)D levels (18–28 ng/mL): vitamin D, 84% vs. placebo, 71%; hazard ratio, 0.49; 95% confidence interval, 0.25–0.96; p = 0.04. In contrast, vitamin D supplementation did not improve 5-year RFS among patients with low (≤17 ng/mL) or with high (≥29 ng/mL) 25(OH)D levels. MARS might be a reliable method with the potential to eliminate guesswork in the estimation of threshold values of biomarkers.     

Low Vitamin D Status Is Associated with Increased Risk of Mortality in Korean Men and Adults with Hypertension: A Population-Based Cohort Study

Background Recent randomized controlled trials (RCTs) have shown no effect of vitamin D supplementation on cardiovascular disease, cancer events and mortality or all-cause mortality in Western populations. However, there has been a lack of research on populations with low vitamin D status, including Asians. In addition, there have been indications that an individual’s sex or hypertension status may affect the relationship between vitamin D status and mortality. In this study, we retrospectively assessed the association between vitamin D status and all-cause, cardiovascular, and cancer mortality in Koreans using a national database, and stratified participants according to sex and hypertension status. Methods Participants in the Korean Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 2008–2014, who consented to their data being synthesized with mortality data (up to December 2019), were included (n = 22,742; mean follow-up: 8.9 years). Participants’ level of serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25(OH)D) was measured by radioimmunoassay and categorized as <12, 12–19.9, and ≥20 ng/mL. A Cox proportional hazard model was used to assess the risk of mortality. Results In the total sample, risk of all-cause, cancer, and cardiovascular mortality was greater in adults with a serum 25(OH)D level below 12 and 12–19.9 ng/mL than those with ≥20 ng/mL. Men and adults with hypertension, who had low vitamin D status, had a higher risk of cancer and cardiovascular mortality, but not women or adults without hypertension. Similar results were observed when various cutoffs for 25(OH)D were employed, or extrinsic deaths were excluded. Conclusions Vitamin D status below 20 ng/mL is associated with a higher risk of mortality in Korean adults, especially in men and those with hypertension, on the basis of data from a nationally representative sample. Further RCTs on Asian adults with low vitamin D status are warranted.     

Vitamin D Serum Levels in Subjects Tested for SARS-CoV-2: What Are the Differences among Acute,Healed, and Negative COVID-19 Patients? A Multicenter Real-Practice Study

Vitamin D might play a role in counteracting COVID-19, albeit strong evidence is still lacking in the literature. The present multicenter real-practice study aimed to evaluate the differences of 25(OH)D₃ serum levels in adults tested for SARS-CoV-2 (acute COVID-19 patients, subjects healed from COVID-19, and non-infected ones) recruited over a 6-month period (March–September 2021). In a sample of 117 subjects, a statistically significant difference was found, with acute COVID-19 patients demonstrating the lowest levels of serum 25(OH)D₃ (9.63 ± 8.70 ng/mL), significantly lower than values reported by no-COVID-19 patients (15.96 ± 5.99 ng/mL, p = 0.0091) and healed COVID-19 patients (11.52 ± 4.90 ng/mL, p > 0.05). Male gender across the three groups displayed unfluctuating 25(OH)D₃ levels, hinting at an inability to ensure adequate levels of the active vitamin D3 form (1α,25(OH)2D3). As a secondary endpoint, we assessed the correlation between serum 25(OH)D₃ levels and pro-inflammatory cytokine interleukin-6 (IL-6) in patients with extremely low serum 25(OH)D₃ levels (<1 ng/mL) and in a subset supplemented with 1α,25(OH)₂D₃. Although patients with severe hypovitaminosis-D showed no significant increase in IL-6 levels, acute COVID-19 patients manifested high circulating IL-6 at admission (females = 127.64 ± 22.24 pg/mL, males = 139.28 ± 48.95 ng/mL) which dropped drastically after the administration of 1α,25(OH)₂D₃ (1.84 ± 0.77 pg/mL and 2.65 ± 0.92 ng/mL, respectively). Taken together, these findings suggest that an administration of 1α,25(OH)₂D₃ might be helpful for treating male patients with an acute COVID-19 infection. Further studies on rapid correction of vitamin D deficiency with fast acting metabolites are warranted in COVID-19 patients.     

Vitamin D Nutritional Status of Chinese Pregnant Women,Comparing the Chinese National Nutrition Surveillance (CNHS) 2015–2017 with CNHS 2010–2012

Optimal vitamin D (vitD) status is beneficial for both pregnant women and their newborns. The aim of this study was to evaluate the vitamin D status of Chinese pregnant women in the latest China Nutrition and Health Surveillance (CNHS) 2015–2017, analyze the risk factors of vitamin D deficiency (VDD), and compare them with those in CNHS 2010–2012. Serum 25 hydroxyvitamin D (25(OH)D) was measured by ELISA method. City type, district, latitude, location, age, vitamin D supplements intake, education, marital status, annual family income, etc., were recorded. The median 25(OH)D concentration was 13.02 (10.17–17.01) ng/mL in 2015–2017, and 15.48 (11.89–20.09) ng/mL in 2010–2012. The vitamin D sufficient rate was only 12.57% in 2015–2017, comparing to 25.17% in 2010–2012. The risk factors of vitamin D inadequacy (25(OH)D < 20 ng/mL) in 2015–2017 were not exactly consistent with that in 2010–2012. The risk factors included season of spring (p < 0.0001) and winter (p < 0.001), subtropical (p < 0.001), median (p < 0.0001) and warm temperate zones (p < 0.0001), the western (p = 0.027) and the central areas (p = 0.041), while vitD supplements intake (p = 0.021) was a protective factor in pregnant women. In conclusion, vitD inadequacy is very common among Chinese pregnant women. We encourage pregnant women to take more effective sunlight and proper vitD supplements, especially for those from the subtropical, warm and medium temperate zones, the western and the central, and in the seasons of spring and winter.     

Plasma 25(OH)D Concentrations and Gestational Diabetes Mellitus among Pregnant Women in Taiwan

Vitamin D’s function in the development of gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) is not consistent in the literature. We examined the association between maternal plasma 25(OH)D concentration and GDM risk. A national cross-sectional study (1497 pregnant women) was conducted between 2017 and 2019 across Taiwan. Blood samples were drawn at recruitment to assess 25(OH)D concentrations, including vitamin D deficiency (VDD) (<20 ng/mL), insufficiency (<32 ng/mL), and sufficiency (≥32 ng/mL). GDM was detected from 24 to 28 weeks of gestation with the results extracted from the antenatal visit records. The prevalence of GDM was 2.9%. Logistic model analysis showed that 25(OH)D concentrations were not significantly associated with the risk of GDM (adjusted odds ratio (AOR) = 0.97, p = 0.144). However, subjects with VDD had a significantly greater risk of GDM (AOR = 2.26, p = 0.041), but not in those with vitamin D insufficiency (AOR = 1.20, p = 0.655). Furthermore, cubic piecewise spline regression was used to explore the relationship between five-unit intervals of 25(OH)D and the predicted probability of GDM. As the proportion of GDM increased for low 25(OH)D concentrations, it decreased at moderate concentrations and increased again at higher concentrations. These findings revealed a nonlinear relationship between 25(OH)D and GDM risk. VDD would be risky for GDM occurrence.     

Correlation between Serum 25-Hydroxyvitamin D Level and Depression among Korean Women with Secondary Amenorrhea: A Cross-Sectional Observational Study

Vitamin D deficiency is considered a major public health problem worldwide and has been reported as having an association with depression. However, studies on the association between vitamin D deficiency and depressive symptoms in secondary amenorrhea (SA) patients are still scarce. This study examined the relationship between serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25(OH)D) levels and depressive symptoms among Korean women with SA. In this cross-sectional observational study, 78 patients with SA were initially recruited. Clinical and biochemical parameters, including serum 25(OH)D level, were measured. Data from 63 SA patients who met the study inclusion criteria and completed psychiatric assessments were finally analyzed. We analyzed their association with depression using a hierarchical regression model. The average serum 25(OH)D level was 34.40 ± 24.02 ng/mL, and 41.3% of the women with SA were vitamin D-deficient (<20 ng/mL). The total score of the Korean version of the Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (K-HDRS) was negatively related to serum 25(OH)D levels, free testosterone, and serum anti-Müllerian hormone (AMH) after adjusting for age and BMI (r = −0.450, p < 0.001; r = −0.258, p = 0.045; and r = −0.339, p = 0.006, respectively). Serum 25(OH)D levels and AMH levels were the most powerful predictors of depressive severity when using the K-HDRS in SA patients (β = −0.39, p < 0.005; β = −0.42, p < 0.005, respectively). This study showed that low serum 25(OH)D levels were associated with the severity of depressive symptoms in SA patients. This observation suggests that the evaluation of vitamin D deficiency for the risk of depression may be necessary in patients with SA.     

Serum 25-Hydroxyvitamin D Is Inversely Associated with Monocyte Percentage to HDL Cholesterol Ratio among Young Healthy Adults in Qatar

Low serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D [25(OH)D] is linked to an altered lipid profile. Monocytes play an important role in inflammation and lipid metabolism. Recently, monocyte percentage to HDL-cholesterol ratio (MHR) has emerged as a novel marker of inflammation. We investigated the association between serum 25(OH)D concentrations and MHR and serum lipids in young healthy adults. Data from the Qatar Biobank were utilized to investigate the relation between serum 25(OH)D and inflammation and serum lipid concentrations in healthy Qatari adults using multivariate regression analysis. Prevalence of serum 25(OH)D concentrations <12 ng/mL (deficiency), 12–20 ng/mL (insufficiency), and ≥20 ng/mL (sufficiency) were 55.8%, 29.9%, and 14.3%, respectively. Serum 25(OH)D was significantly inversely associated with monocyte percentage, MHR, total cholesterol, LDL-cholesterol, and triacylglycerol in multivariable adjusted analysis. MHR could be a potential biomarker to predict cardiometabolic diseases among young healthy Qataris.     

Association between Maternal Serum 25-Hydroxyvitamin D Concentrations and the Risk of Preterm Birth in Central Sudan: A Case–Control Study

There are few published studies on the association between vitamin D concentrations and preterm birth (PB) in sub-Saharan Africa. The current study aimed to assess the association between 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25[OH)] D) levels and PB. A matched case–control study (60 women in each arm) was conducted in Medani maternity hospital in central Sudan. The cases were women with spontaneous PB, and healthy women with term deliveries were the controls. The clinical/medical and obstetric history was gathered using a questionnaire. The enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay was used to measure the serum 25(OH)D levels. Women with PB had significantly lower median (interquartile range) 25(OH)D concentrations compared with the controls (18.4 (7.3) ng/mL vs. 20.2 (16.5) ng/mL, p = 0.001). Forty-two (70.0%) women with PB and 29 (48.3%) women in the control group had vitamin D deficiency (25(OH)D level ≤ 20 ng/mL). The results of the multivariable logistic regression showed that the 25(OH)D concentrations were negatively associated with PB (adjusted odds ratio (aOR) = 0.92, 95% confidence interval (CI) = 0.87–0.97). Vitamin D-deficient pregnant women were at a higher risk of PB (aOR = 2.69, 95% CI = 1.17–6.23). Low 25(OH)D concentrations were found at the time the variable was determined in women with spontaneous PB and were an independent risk factor for PB.     

Vitamin D insufficiency in children, adolescents, and young adults with cystic fibrosis despite routine oral supplementation

BACKGROUND: Cystic fibrosis (CF) with pancreatic insufficiency is associated with poor absorption of fat and fat-soluble vitamins, including vitamin D. Pancreatic enzyme supplementation does not completely correct fat malabsorption in CF patients. OBJECTIVE: The objective of the study was to compare the vitamin D status of children, adolescents, and young adults with CF who were treated with routine vitamin D and pancreatic enzyme supplements with the vitamin D status of a healthy reference group from a similar geographic area. DESIGN: Growth, dietary intake, and serum concentrations of 25-hydroxyvitamin D [25(OH)D], 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D [1,25(OH)(2)D], and parathyroid hormone (PTH) were measured in 101 white subjects with CF and a reference group of 177 white subjects. RESULTS: The median daily vitamin D supplementation in the CF group was 800 IU. The mean +/- SD serum concentrations of 25(OH)D were 20.7 +/- 6.5 ng/mL in the CF group and 26.2 +/- 8.6 ng/mL in the reference group (P < 0.001). Vitamin D deficiency and insufficiency were defined as 25(OH)D concentrations < 11 ng/mL and < 30 ng/mL, respectively. Seven percent of the CF group and 2% of the healthy reference group were vitamin D deficient (P < 0.03). Ninety percent of the CF group and 74% of the healthy reference group were vitamin D insufficient (P < 0.01). Twenty-five percent of the CF group and 9% of the healthy reference group had elevated PTH (P < 0.006). The odds of vitamin D insufficiency in the CF group, compared with the healthy reference group, were 1.2 (95% CI: 1.1, 1.3) after adjustment for season and age. CONCLUSION: Despite daily vitamin D supplementation, serum 25(OH)D concentrations remain low in children, adolescents, and young adults with CF.