Relationship of vitamin D status with lung function and exercise capacity in COPD

Background and objectiveThe relationship between blood vitamin D level and clinical parameters in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) has been reported with conflicting results. We explored the effects of vitamin D on clinical characteristics of patients with COPD in Korea. MethodsThe study population comprised 193 patients with COPD from Korean Obstructive Lung Disease Cohort. The plasma level of 25-OH vitamin D3 (25-OH-VitD3) was measured every year along with various clinical parameters such as lung function, 6-min walking (6MW) distance, quality of life, exacerbations and emphysema index. Generalized estimating equations and linear mixed model were used for statistical analysis. ResultsOf the 193 patients, 12 (6.2%), 28 (14.5%) and 153 (79.3%) were categorized into normal, insufficiency and deficiency groups. Clustered analysis showed that the plasma 25-OH-VitD3 level was associated with the post-bronchodilator ratio of force expiratory volume in 1s/forced vital capacity (FEV1/FVC) (estimated=0.001; P=0.022). The vitamin D deficiency group showed lower FEV1 (estimated=-0.129, P=0.043), FEV1 % predicted (estimated=-4.994, P=0.029) and FEV1/FVC ratio (estimated=-0.048, P=0.001) than did the non-deficiency group. The 6MW distance tended to be shorter in deficiency group (estimated=-17.26, P=0.069) than in non-deficiency group. Quality of life, exacerbation and emphysema index were not associated with plasma 25-OH-VitD3 level. ConclusionsWe demonstrated a high prevalence of vitamin D deficiency in Korean patients with COPD and a significant relationship between vitamin D deficiency and airflow limitation. The exercise capacity tended to be decreased in the vitamin D deficiency group. A high prevalence of vitamin D deficiency was observed in Korean patients with COPD. A significant relationship between vitamin D deficiency and airflow limitation were demonstrated, while the exercise capacity tended to be decreased in the vitamin D deficiency group.