Background and aims. Asians have an increasingly high prevalence of vitamin D deficiency and insufficiency (serum 25-hydroxy-vitamin D (25OHD) <50 nmol/L and <30 nmol/L, respectively). However, the research into associations between low vitamin D levels and cardiometabolic conditions in the older Asians is lacking. This study investigated these relationshios in Macau, China older populations. (older than 60 yrs old.)
Methods. We sampled blood, anthropometric, and physical data from a randomly sampled population from Macau city of 1410 (48% female, 26% > 60-89 years).
Results. The older population had 20% diabetes compare to 2% of younger; 58% Hypertension compared to 12%; 21% dyslipidemia compared to 7% of younger; 32% Metabolic Syndrome (MetS) compare to 11% of younger and 14% obesity compared to 9% of younger.
Results from categorical multivariate regression analyses (adjusted for age, sex, and hours per day of physical activity, sitting and sunlight exposure) indicated significant two fold associations between vitamin D insufficiency and prevalence of MI, MetS and low HDL and high TG levels. These associations became stronger when investigated with vitamin D deficiency (25OHD < 30 nmol/L). The association between cardiometabolic factors and vitamin D deficiency in those > 60 yrs increased markedly to OR Myocardial Infarction=9.48 (2.62-34), OR MetS=7.82 (3.31-18.46) and OR low High Density lipoprotein(HDL)=8.68 (1.56-21.16) and OR high Triglyceroides=2.27 (1.07-5.25).
Conclusion and implications.
These findings suggest high vulnerability to lower 25OHD levels with related health disparities affecting older Asians. Integration of public health measures to detect vitamin D insufficiency and deficiency should be routine health screening be protective for those at higher risk for related cardiometabolic conditions.