ASSOCIATION BETWEEN VITAMIN D AND STROKE: A CASE- CONTROL STUDY

Dr. Chandan Sharma and Dr. Ashima Badyal

ABSTRACT

Background: Globally every second person has a poor vitamin D status, which a public health problem of real concern. Reduced plasma 25(OH) D concentrations as a diagnostic marker of vitamin D deficiency have been associated with risk factors for ischemic stroke. The aim of this study was to compare serum 25- hydroxyvitamin D (25(OH) D) levels in acute stroke patients and healthy subjects. Method: A Case-Control Study was conducted in the Department of Medicine, GMC Jammu, during a period of one year, on 70 patients with stroke incidence and 70 age and gender matched healthy controls. Results: The mean age was 60.55 ± 12.46 years and 60.37 ± 12.02 years in cases and controls respectively. A statistically significant difference was observed in the mean body mass index (BMI), between cases and controls. The most common risk factor was found to be hypertension with 81.43% of cases. The median value of serum 25(OH) Vitamin D level was 9.06 ng/mL in the cases and 10.89 ng/mL in controls. The difference between the serum 25(OH) vitamin D levels of the two groups, even in sub group analysis, was not statistically significant; however, patients more than 65 years of age showed the lowest levels of 25(OH) Vitamin D amongst all with a median value of 8.03 ng/mL and IQR of 4.45-16.16 ng/mL. Conclusion: No significant association was found between low Vitamin D levels and cases of ischemic or haemorrhagic stroke, but the beneficial effects of Vitamin D supplementation can’t be ignored.

Keywords: Background: Globally every second person has a poor vitamin D status, which a public health problem of real concern. Reduced plasma 25(OH) D concentrations as a diagnostic marker of vitamin D deficiency have been associated with risk factors for ischemic