Vitamin D and COPD

January 01, 0001

Vitamin D and COPD

Low vitamin D levels have recently been linked to a number of disease stated, though mechanisms are often lacking. This group of Belgian researchers examined its relationship with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). They measured serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25-OHD) levels in 414 (ex)-smokers older than 50 years and the link between vitamin D status and presence of COPD was assessed. Additionally, rs7041 and rs4588 variants in the vitamin D-binding gene (GC) were genotyped and compared with the other data.

The researchers report: "In patients with COPD, 25-OHD levels correlated significantly with forced expiratory volume in 1 s (FEV1) (r=0.28). Compared with 31% of the smokers with normal lung function, as many as 60% and 77% of patients with GOLD (Global Initiative for Obstructive Lung Disease) stage 3 and 4 exhibited deficient 25-OHD levels less than 20 ng/ml. Additionally, 25-OHD levels were reduced by 25% in homozygous carriers of the rs7041 at-risk T allele. This correlation was found to be independent of COPD severity, smoking history, age, gender, body mass index, corticosteroid intake, seasonal variation and rs4588. Notably, 76% and 100% of patients with GOLD stage 3 and 4 homozygous for the rs7041 T allele exhibited 25-OHD levels less than 20 ng/ml. Logistic regression corrected for age, gender and smoking history further revealed that homozygous carriers of the rs7041 T allele exhibited an increased risk for COPD (OR 2.11)."

The authors concluded: "Vitamin D deficiency occurs frequently in COPD and correlates with severity of COPD. The data warrant vitamin D supplementation in patients with severe COPD, especially in those carrying at- risk rs7041 variants."

This study finds yet another link between low vitamin D level and disease, this time COPD, but intriguing also finds a link with specific genotypes of a vitamin D binding protein.

For the full abstract, click here.

Thorax 65:215-220, March 2010 © 2010 BMJ Publishing Group Ltd & British Thoracic Society
Vitamin D deficiency is highly prevalent in COPD and correlates with variants in the vitamin D-binding gene. Wim Janssens, Roger Bouillon, Bart Claes, et al. Correspondence to Wim Janssens: [email protected]

Category: R. Respiratory. Keywords: COPD, epidemiology, genetic variant rs7041, vitamin D, vitamin D-binding protein, epidemiologic study, journal watch.
Synopsis edited by Dr Paul Schaefer, Toledo, Ohio. Posted on Global Family Doctor 20 April 2010

Pearls are an independent product of the Cochrane primary care group and are meant for educational use and not to guide clinical care.

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