The relationship between serum level of 25 OH-Vitamin D3 and severity of coronary artery disease

Background: Although a few studies have shown the positive correlation between patients’ serum concentration of 25 OH-Vitamin D3 and type II diabetes mellitus, metabolic syndrome, and insulin resistance, there are controversies regarding the relationship between 25 OH-Vitamin D3 as a risk factor for cardiovascular atherosclerotic diseases that has to be cleared. The aim of this study was to evaluate the association between the rate of 25 OH-Vitamin D3 and the presence and severity of coronary artery disease (CAD) in Patients with suspected CAD. Methods: This study was a cross sectional study that has been conducted in the department of cardiology in Imam Khomeini Hospital complex in collaboration with endocrinology research center. In this study 178 patients with suspected coronary artery disease (CAD) were enrolled. Based on their history and clinical findings coronary angiography was performed in all patients. Severity of CAD has been assessed by using Gensini score, based on their coronary angiography findings. The relationship between severity of CAD and their serum level of 25 OH-Vitamin D3 was evaluated. Serum level of 25OH- Vitamin D3 was measured by the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) method by Euroimmiune kits (from Germany). Results: Of 178 patients, 50 (28.1%) were female and 128 (71.9%) were male. Mean±SD of their ages was 56.2±11.8 years old. Significant coronary artery stenosis (stenosis more than 50% luminal diameter) was observed in 91 (51.1%) of patients. Mean±SD of serum level of vitamin D3 in patients with CAD was 45±35 nm/l and in patients without CAD was 55±44 nm/l (P= 0.047). Mean±SD of Gensini score was 26.3±21.1, as well. Therefore correlation coefficient between 25 OH-Vitamin D3 and Gensini score was -0.262 (P= 0.043). Conclusion: Although there is a trend toward association between deficiencies of 25 OH-Vitamin D3 and the presence of CAD but their association is not statistically significant. For achieving more convincing findings larger studies are needed