SERUM VITAMIN-D LEVELS AND CORONARY ARTERY DISEASE IN POSTMENOPAUSAL WOMEN
Dr. Kavitha Ranganathan* and Sudha Rangasamy
ABSTRACT
Introduction: Vitamin D, popularly known as sunshine vitamin is both vital and indispensable for human beings. Ecological studies have reported higher rates of coronary artery disease (CAD) and hypertension attributed to the higher prevalence of vitamin D deficiency in regions with less exposure to sunlight. However, evidence concerning the relationship between vitamin D intake and CAD is still inconclusive with scientist recommending more studies and clinical trials. Aims & Objectives: To assess the lipid profile, plasma glucose and Vitamin D levels in postmenopausal women with coronary artery disease and compare them with postmenopausal women without coronary artery disease. Materials & Methods: This cross sectional study was conducted on 82 postmenopausal women with 42 having angiographically proven CAD and 40 without CAD. Fasting blood sugar, lipid profile and Vitamin D3 levels were measured. Serum 25(OH) vitamin D was estimated by ELISA. Results: 54% of the postmenopausal women with CAD were diabetic and 17% of them were hyperlipedimic. About 72% of postmenopausal women were suffering from either vitamin D deficiency or inadequacy. Vitamin D levels were significantly decreased in patients with CAD than patients without CAD (19.2 ± 13.6 ng/dl vs 26.4 ± 13.01 ng/dl, p-value<0.022). A significant relationship was found between incidence of CAD and low levels of Vitamin D (p- value< 0.001). Conclusion: The establishment of association between vitamin D levels and CAD could be a milestone in the prevention of CAD among postmenopausal women. Exposure to sunlight and adherence to healthy life styles can help the postmenopausal women to achieve optimum vitamin D levels and further prevent the risk of CAD.
Keywords: Vitamin D deficiency, Menopause, CAD.
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