Vitamin D is associated with improved lung function but not with asthma, emphysema and bronchitis

Abstract

Background: Hypovitaminosis D has been linked to several non-bone related diseases. Relation between serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D [25(OH)] and lung function and lung diseases has received less attention. Methods: Data from 3 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) cycles, 2007-2012 were used. The sample size was 11983. Lung function markers such as forced vital capacity (FVC)and forced expiratory volume in 1 second (FEV1) were collected with Spirometry. Relation between serum 25(OH)D and lung function makers was assessed by the multivariate regression. Relation between serum 25(OH)D and prevalence of asthma, emphysema, and chronic bronchitis were assessed with multivariate-adjusted logistic regression. Results:Serum 25(OH)D was significantly associated with FVC and FEV1 (P <0.001). When data were stratified based on sex and smoking status, we found similar associations between serum 25(OH)D and lung function markers. No relation was found between serum 25(OH)D and prevalence of asthma, chronic bronchitis, and emphysema. Conclusions:Serum 25(OH)D is significantly associated with improved lung function markers. Controlled studies are needed to determine if improved serum 25(OH)D will improve the lung function in adults