Vitamin D Status, C-Reactive Protein and Risk of Coronary Artery Disease—A Hospital-Based Study

Abstract

Coronary artery disease (CAD) is a leading cause of deaths of women and men worldwide. In this study we tried to assess the relationship between Vitamin D status and CAD. Vitamin D has a big role in the body and debate on its effect on the heart and coronary arteries still exits. C-reactive protein (CRP) is an inflammatory marker which may rise in CHD. Aim: To determine the relationship between Vitamin D status and CRP and CAD risk among patients at middle zone of the Gaza Strip. Methodology: A retrospective case-control, hospital-based study was conducted at Al-Aqsa Martyr’s Hospital in Dier El-Balah City from August 2014 to October 2014. Patients (n = 100) aged above 40 years with confirmed CAD history were recruited using a purposeful, non-random sampling. Vitamin D status assessed by food frequency questionnaire of dietary Vitamin D and serum Vitamin D. Serum Vitamin D was measured using Calbiotech’s 25-OH Vitamin D ELISA and serum CRP was measured by the latex agglutination. SPSS V.19 used for data analysis. Results: Mean of age among cases was (68.28 ± 8.01) higher than controls (57.82 ± 9.61) (P = 0.01); percent of males (54%) was higher than females (46.0%) among cases. Sun exposure and mean duration of daily exposure to sunlight were higher in cases (P > 0.05). Cases were consumed less servings of Vitamin D rich food than controls (P > 0.05). Percent of Vitamin D deficiency among cases (42%) was higher than controls (16.0%) (P = 0.002). Mean of serum Vitamin D in association with positive CRP was (79.95 ± 70.6) lower than those with negative CRP (106.06 ± 68.966) (P = 0.13). Percent of positive serum CRP among cases 30% was higher than controls 10% (P = 0.01). Conclusion: Vitamin D deficiency was associated with positive CRP in patients with CAD. Vitamin D may have an anti-inflammatory effect regarding to our results.