High serum concentration of vitamin D may protect against multiple sclerosis

Background: High 25-hydroxyvitamin D concentrations have been associated with a reduced risk of multiple sclerosis, with indications of a stronger effect among young individuals. Objective: Investigate the 25-hydroxyvitamin D association with multiple sclerosis and test if this association is age dependent. Methods: Prospectively drawn blood samples from individuals later developing relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis and controls matched for biobank, sex, age and date of sampling, were analysed with liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry. Results: High levels of 25-hydroxyvitamin D (top quintile) were associated with a reduced multiple sclerosis risk (odds ratio 0.68, 95% confidence interval 0.50-0.93). Conclusion: These findings further support a role for vitamin D in MS aetiology