Vitamin D, Asthma Prevalence and Asthma exacerbations: A large adult population-based study
Ronit Confino-Cohen1,2,*, Ilan Brufman3, Arnon Goldberg1,2 andBecca S Feldman3
DOI: 10.1111/all.12508
Europen Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology
Accepted Article (Accepted, unedited articles published online and citable. The final edited and typeset version of record will appear in future.)
Background
The impact of low vitamin D status on asthma, asthma morbidity and control is unclear. We aimed to investigate in adults the associations between serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D level and prevalent asthma as well as asthma exacerbations.
Methods
A cohort of Israeli adults aged 22-50 years with documented vitamin D status were extracted from Clalit Health Services (HMO) between July 1, 2008 and July 1, 2012. Among this population those with physician diagnosed asthma and asthma exacerbations were identified. Asthma exacerbations were defined as any of the following: prescription for oral corticosteroids, > 5 prescriptions for short acting beta agonists and more than 4 visits to a physician for asthma. Logistic regression models assessed the associations between vitamin D and both asthma and asthma exacerbations.
Results
Approximately 308,000 members with at least one vitamin D measurement were included in the cohort. Among them, 6.9% (21,237), had physician diagnosed asthma versus 5.7% in the general population. Serum 25OHD levels across both groups were similar. However, among those with vitamin D deficiency, the odds of having an exacerbation were 25% greater compared to those with levels in the normal range. This association remained significant after controlling for known confounders.
Conclusions
While there was no significant association between vitamin D status and physician diagnosed asthma, there was a strong association with asthma exacerbations. The presented evidence supports vitamin D screening in the subgroup of asthmatics that are uncontrolled and experience recurrent exacerbations.
Publisher offers the PDF at low cost to patients and caregivers (not VitaminDWiki)
Abstract does not state: but they calculated the 25% number based on higher or lower than 30 ng
See also VitaminDWiki
- Overview Asthma and Vitamin D
- Severity of adult asthma associated with less vitamin D – Feb 2013
- Asthma attacks reduced in half if Vitamin D level higher than 42 nanograms – RCT May 2014
- Proof that Vitamin D Works Asthma has been proven to be treated by at least 3 Random Controlled trials with Vitamin D intervention