The combined presence of hypertension and vitamin D deficiency increased the probability of the occurrence of small vessel disease in China

Abstract

Background: The exact relationship between 25-hydroxyvitamin D [25(OH) D] levels and small vessel disease (SVD) are not clear in China. The aim of this study was to determine such association between 25(OH) D and SVD in China. Methods: We retrospectively enrolled 106 patients with SVD and 115 controls between Jan 2017 and Dec 2017. All the subjects were categorized into three subgroups according to the level of 25(OH) D: vitamin D deficiency (<12 ng/ml), insufficiency (12-20 ng/ml) and sufficiency (>20 ng/ml). Results: Among 106 SVD patients, 80 (75.5%) were men and the mean age was 61.6±13.2 years. The deficiency of 25(OH) D was observed in 76 (71.7%) of SVD patients and 47 (40.9%) of controls (P=0.001). Compared with controls, patients with SVD were more likely to be male, a stroke history, smokers, with hyperlipidemia, higher systolic and diastolic blood pressure and low-density lipoprotein, and lower of 25(OH)D level (P<0.05). Logistic regression analysis revealed the level of 25(OH)D as an independent predictor of SVD (OR 0.772, 95% CI 0.691-0.862, P=0.001). Compared with the sufficient 25(OH)D group, the ORs of SVD in deficient and insufficient 25(OH)D group were 5.609 (95% CI 2.006-15.683) and 1.077 (95% CI: 0.338-3.428) after adjusting for potential confounders, respectively. In hypertensives with vitamin D deficient and insufficient group compared with sufficient group, the ORs of SVD increased to 9.738 (95% CI 2.398-39.540) and 1.108 (95% CI 0.232-5.280), respectively (Pinteraction=0.001). Conclusion: We found significant associations between SVD and 25(OH)D deficiency. The combined presence of hypertension and vitamin D deficiency increased the probability of developing SVD. Our findings will warrant further prospective studies in the future.