Vitamin D status in apparently healthy medication-free Slovaks: Association to blood pressure, body mass index, self-reported smoking status and physical activity.

BACKGROUND

Vitamin D plays a role in protecting against chronic degenerative diseases. Slovak adults present one of the highest cardiovascular mortality rates among 27 EU countries.

OBJECTIVES

We asked whether the 25(OH)D3 status in apparently healthy medication-free Slovaks deteriorates upon ageing, and in the presence of cardiometabolic risk factors.

METHODS

We studied the impact of blood pressure, overweight/obesity, smoking, and physical activity on 25(OH)D3 levels determined using RIA method in 578 (5-81 years old) subjects.

RESULTS

The average level of 25(OH)D3 was 36±17 ng/ml. A proportion of 15 % of participants were 25(OH)D3‑deficient (≤20 ng/ml), 26 % presented insufficient (20-to-30 ng/ml), and 59 % satisfactory (> 30 ng/ml) levels. Neither mean 25(OH)D3 levels, nor the prevalence of hypovitaminosis D showed age dependence. Physically active normotensive non-smokers presented the highest (41±19 ng/ml), and their smoking counterparts with elevated BP the lowest 25(OH)D3 levels (30±12 ng/ml).

CONCLUSION

In apparently healthy medication-free Slovaks the prevalence of hypovitaminosis D is high. Vitamin D status does not deteriorate in course of healthy ageing. Physical activity, normotension, and non-smoking status are associated with favorable vitamin D status while low 25(OH)D3 levels are associated with multiple cardiometabolic risk factors. Further studies in subjects at high cardiovascular risk are needed to elucidate the potential association of hypovitaminosis D with high cardiovascular mortality in Slovak adults (Tab. 1, Fig. 4, Ref. 42).