Vitamin D deficiency linked to reduced lung function
By ANITuesday, February 1, 2011
WASHINGTON - A University of Cincinnati College of Medicine study has linked Vitamin D deficiency with reduced lung function.
The research shows that vitamin D deficiency is prevalent among patients with interstitial lung disease (ILD), with the largest prevalence seen in patients with concurrent connective tissue disease (CTD).
The researchers evaluated vitamin D levels in 67 patients with CTD-ILD and 51 patients with other forms of ILD.
Results showed the overall prevalence of vitamin D deficiency and insufficiency was 38 percent and 59 percent, respectively.
Those with CTD-ILD were more likely to have vitamin D deficiency (52 percent vs 20 percent) and insufficiency (79 percent vs 31 percent) than other forms of ILD.
Among patients with CTD-ILD, reduced vitamin D levels were strongly associated with reduced lung function. Researchers conclude that vitamin D may have a role in the pathogenesis of CTD-ILD.
The study was published in the journal Chest. (ANI)
