Conduit vessel stiffness in British south Asians of Indian descent relates to 25-hydroxyvitamin D status.

BACKGROUND

South Asians migrating to Northern latitudes are more susceptible to premature cardiovascular disease (CVD) than expected for given levels of blood pressure. Vitamin D deficiency is common in this group and may play an important role mediating vascular wall senescence in response to central pressure effects.

METHODS

A cross-sectional association study. South Asian and White European participants were randomly recruited from a population-based diabetes-screening programme. Carotid-femoral pulse wave velocity (cfPWV), biochemistry (25-hydroxyvitamin D, fasting glucose), anthropometrics, resting blood pressure and a physical activity measure (International Physical Activity Questionnaire) were measured under controlled conditions.

PARTICIPANTS

One hundred and thirty-two and 125 age-matched South Asians and White Europeans not taking vitamin D supplementation with a risk factor for diabetes but no overt CVD.

RESULTS

Age (mean south Asian: 55.7 vs. White European: 56.0 years), mean arterial pressure (MAP) and calculated CVD risk were similar in both groups. Unadjusted (cf)PWV (m/s) was higher (9.32 vs. 8.68 P = 0.001) and 25-hydroxyvitamin D (nmol/l) lower in (21.29 vs. 52.5 P < 0.001) south Asians. 25-Hydroxyvitamin D independently associated with cfPWV in multivariate modelling adjusted for age, MAP, sex, glucose, heart rate, vasoactive medication and south Asian ethnicity (R = 0.73, P = 0.004). 25-Hydroxyvitamin D but not physical activity was negatively correlated with cfPWV independent of south Asian ethnicity.

CONCLUSION

Aortic stiffness is increased in British Indo-Asians without vascular disease despite conventional risk profiles, which are comparable to age-matched white Europeans. This effect may be mediated by a greater pressure-dependent increase in stiffness in individuals with vitamin D insufficiency.