Vitamin D Status in Small Vessel and Large Vessel Ischemic Stroke Patients: A Case-control Study

Abstract

Background: Vitamin D insufficiency is a globally widespread issue. Recent studies have reported a high prevalence of Vitamin D deficiency in Middle-East countries. Studies have shown negative effects of Vitamin D deficiency on endothelium and related diseases such as ischemic brain stroke. Here, we assessed Vitamin D status in patients with different types of ischemic brain stroke and control group. Materials and Methods: Seventy-five patients (49.3 small vessel, 50.7 large vessel) and 75 controls, matched for age (68.01 +/- 10.94 vs. 67.64 +/- 10.24) and sex (42 male and 33 female) were recruited. 25(OH) D levels were measured by Chemiluminescence immunoassay. 25(OH) D status was considered as severely, moderately, or mildly deficient and normal with 25(OH) D levels of less than 5, 5-10, 10-16, and >16 ng/ml, respectively. Results: Mean +/- standard error concentration of 25(OH) D in cases and controls were 17.7 +/- 1.5 and 26.9 +/- 1.6 (P = 0.0001), respectively. Mild, moderate, and severe Vitamin D deficiency were observed in 10.8, 32.4, 8.1 vs. 34.3, 31.5, 9.5 of small vessel and large vessel group, respectively. 21.7 of the controls were Vitamin D deficient. Vitamin D deficiency was significantly associated with higher risk for ischemic stroke, (P = 0.000, OR = 7.17, 95 confidence interval: 3.36-15.29). 25(OH) D levels were significantly higher in control group comparing to small vessel (26.9 +/- 1.6 vs. 20.59 +/- 2.6 P < 0.05) and large vessel (26.9 +/- 1.6 vs. 13.4 +/- 1.3 P < 0.001) stroke patients. Small vessel group had significantly higher levels of Vitamin D than large vessel (P < 0.05). Conclusion: Vitamin D deficiency significantly increases the risk of ischemic stroke, favoring the types with the pathogenesis of large vessel strokes.