Publication:

Correlation between vitamin D and carotid artery intima media thickness in patients with ischemic stroke

Background This study aimed to investigate the relationship between serum vitamin D level and carotid artery intima-media thickness in ischemic stroke patients. The correlation of vitamin D and carotid artery intima media thickness in ischemic stroke patients had conflicting results in different parts of the world.

Methods 217 patients with CVA infarct were selected for analysis between ages 45 and 80 years admitted at our hospital from January 2014 to December 2015. Measurements of serum vitamin D concentration and Carotid-IMT were made by electrochemiluminescence immunoassay and B-mode ultrasound, respectively. Confounding variables like diabetes, hypertension, smoking, alcohol, tobacco, dyslipidemia, BMI, CRP, Serum uric acid, duration of sunlight exposure, prior history of drug intake or fracture and Serum calcium were considered. 200 age and sex matched controls were taken. Questionnaires were used for data collection and multiple linear regression analysis and correlation analysis were used.

Results The mean serum level of vitamin D was 19.14±9.45 SD ng/mL and  average IMT was 0.78±0.09 SD mm with pearson coefficient of (-0.36) significant at 0.01 level. The R2 value was 0.13.

Conclusions Correlation analysis found an inverse relationship between serum vitamin D level and carotid-IMT in ischemic stroke patients.