Vitamin D status and risk of ischemic stroke in North Indian patients

CONTEXT: Accumulating evidence suggests that vitamin D deficiency is associated with increased risk of stroke. Contributing mechanisms have been linked to the association of vitamin D deficiency with the presence of hypertension, diabetes mellitus, and atherosclerosis, however, the evidence is conflicting. AIMS: This study sought to determine the association of vitamin D deficiency with ischemic stroke and its risk factors. SETTINGS AND DESIGN: Cross-sectional case control study. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: We measured serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D [25(OH) D] and intact parathyroid hormone (iPTH) levels in 73 patients of ischemic stroke, presenting within 7 days of onset of stroke and compared with 70 age and gender matched controls. STATISTICAL ANALYSIS USED: The statistical analysis was carried out using Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS Inc., Chicago, IL, version 17.0 for Windows). RESULTS: The mean age of patients and controls was 59.9 ± 11.2 years and 57.9 ± 9.7 years, respectively (P = 0.26). Of 67.1% patients were men as compared to 65.7% controls (P = 0.86). There was no significant difference in the prevalence of vitamin D deficiency/insufficiency (P = 0.25), mean 25(OH) D levels (P = 0.75), and iPTH levels (P = 0.10) between cases and controls. No association of vitamin D deficiency/insufficiency was found with the prevalent risk factors in cases of ischemic stroke. CONCLUSIONS: Vitamin D deficiency does not bear an association with ischemic stroke or its risk factors.