Vitamin D Deficiency Is Associated with Severity of Acute Coronary Syndrome in Patients with Type 2 Diabetes and High Rates of Sun Exposure

BACKGROUND: Vitamin D deficiency has been associated with cardiovascular risk factors, including type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). Evidence shows that patients with low serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25OHD) concentrations have a higher risk of developing coronary artery disease. OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study was to assess vitamin D as a predictor of the severity in diabetics with acute coronary syndrome (ACS). METHODS: A total of 166 patients were diagnosed with ACS. Serum 25OHD concentrations were analyzed, and risk factors for ACS were evaluated. RESULTS: Patients diagnosed as having acute myocardial infarction with elevation of the ST segment had a higher rate of 25OHD, <20 ng/mL compared to ≥30 ng/mL (47.8% × 13.4%, P = 0.03). Diabetics with vitamin D deficiency had more multivessel lesions in the coronary angiography than non-diabetics (69% × 31.8%, P = 0.007). After adjustments for confounders, serum 25OHD remained associated with more severe disease. CONCLUSION: Vitamin D deficiency is associated with more severe ACS and is a predictor of more extensive coronary lesions in patients with T2DM.