Relationship between serum vitamin D levels and angiographic severity and extent of coronary artery disease

BackgroundVitamin D is known for its effect in calcium and bone homeostasis. There is an increasing evidence for health benefits accomplished by activated vitamin D that go beyond these classical functions. Previous studies have suggested that lower vitamin D levels are associated with increased cardiovascular disease risk. Therefore, we aimed to evaluate relationship between vitamin D levels and extent and severity of coronary artery disease. Materials and methodsA total of 746 patients in whom coronary angiography was performed between August 2012 and July 2013 were enrolled in this study. Serum vitamin D levels were measured, and patients were grouped according to their serum vitamin D levels (vitamin D<20ng/mL (n=602) Group 1 versus >20ng/dL (n=144) Group 2). Gensini score system was used to evaluate the association between serum vitamin D levels and severity and extent of coronary artery disease. ResultsThere was no significant difference between the groups in terms of baseline characteristics and demographic characteristics. Mean serum vitamin D levels of all patient cohort was 1554746ng/mL. Group 1 and Group 2 had an average serum vitamin D levels of 126 +/- 33ng/mL and 275 +/- 78ng/mL, respectively. Gensini score for all cohort was 2625 +/- 3432. Group 1 had an average Gensini score of 264 +/- 357; on the other hand, Gensini score was 255 +/- 275 in Group 2 (P=0097). ConclusionsThis study failed to demonstrate significant relationship between serum vitamin D levels and the severity and extent of coronary artery disease. Further studies with more participation and homogenous groups with comparable individual and environmental features are needed to evaluate the association of serum vitamin D levels and cardiovascular diseases.