Vitamin D deficiency and myocardial structure and function in older men and women: The Hoorn Study

Background Vitamin D deficiency is frequently observed in heart failure patients and it has been shown that vitamin D exerts various effects on the heart that may be relevant for the pathogenesis of myocardial diseases Aims We aimed to elucidate the largely unknown association of 25 hydroxyvitamin D [25(OH)D] serum levels with echocardio-graphic measures of left ventricular (LV) structure and function Material/Subjects and methods We measured 25(OH)D serum levels and performed standardized LV echocardiograms in 614 persons from a population based cohort of old er men and women Echocardiographic data were used to calculate LV mass and geometry and for classification of systolic and diastolic dysfunction To consider the seasonal variations of 25(OH)D levels we categorized our study participants according to season specific 25(OH)D quartiles Resuits LV systolic function, mass and geometry were not significantly associated with 25(OH)D serum levels In binary logistic regression analyses, the prevalence of LV diastolic dysfunction was significantly higher in the first season specific 25(OH)D quartile when compared to the fourth quartile [odds ratio 2 32 (95% Cl 1 42 3 80) p=0 001] but significance was lost after adjustments for age [odds ratio 1 51 (0 89 2 57), p=0 123] and established risk factors for heart failure [odds ratio 1 47 (0 84 2 59) p=0 178] Conclusions Serum levels of 25(OH)D are not significantly associated with LV structure and function but a non significant trend towards increased risk of diastolic dysfunction in persons with vitamin D deficiency warrants further studies (J Endocrinol Invest 33 612 617 2010) (c) 2010 Editrice Kurtis