Low levels of vitamin D biomarker linked with an increased risk of HF-related death

Heart Failure Society of America 14th Annual Scientific Meeting

SAN DIEGO – Adults with decreased levels of serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D concentration had a significantly higher risk for death from HF and premature death, indicated new research presented here.

“Studies of national representative samples to examine the association between serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D [25(OH)D] concentration, a biomarker of vitamin D, and risk of mortality from HF and premature death are scarce,” Howard J. Eisen, MD, chief of the division of cardiology at Drexel University College of Medicine, Philadelphia, and researcher involved with the study, said in his presentation.

In order to determine this association, Eisen and fellow researchers utilized the Third National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) conducted from 1988 to 1994, which was followed for mortality through 2000. The sample size was 13,131 patients aged 35 and older enrolled in the prospective cohort analysis. Baseline serum 25(OH)D levels were measured using a radioimmunoassay kit and premature death was defined as those who died before 75 years of age.

During a mean follow-up of eight years, there were 3,266 (24.9%) deaths, including 101 HF deaths (0.8%). Nearly one-third (n=1,066; 32.6%) of the deaths were premature and death from CV disease accounted for roughly 34% of these deaths. Among those who died from HF, 37% had serum 25(OH)D levels < 20ng/mL, the amount defined as vitamin D deficiency. For non-HF-related death, vitamin D deficiency was present in only 26% of the population (P<.001).

After researchers adjusted for age, sex, race and baseline medical conditions, a Cox model revealed that those with vitamin D deficiency had 3.4 times higher risk of death from HF than those who had serum 25(OH)D ≥ 30ng/mL, which is defined as the normal value (P<.001). Additionally, the RR of premature death for subjects with vitamin D deficiency was 1.45 (95% CI, 1.22-1.72) vs. those with normal serum levels (P<.001).

“Adults with decreased serum 25(OH)D levels have significantly higher risk of death from HF and premature death, and this may beget additional justification for the study of vitamin D supplementation in appropriate patients to determine if there is causality and if this is a treatable condition,” Eisen concluded. – by Brian Ellis

For more information:

Eisen H. Abstract 018. Presented at: Heart Failure Society of America 14th Annual Scientific Sessions; Sept. 13-16, 2010; San Diego.

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