Relationship between serum 25(OH) D3 level and carotid intima thickness in patients with hypertension

Objective To investigate the relationship between serum 25(OH)D3 level and carotid intima thickness in patients with hypertension. Methods A total of 150 hypertensive patients underwent carotid artery ultrasound examination were selected. The subjects were divided into vascular disease group (n=61), and the simple hypertesion group (n=89) according to whether associated with carotid intimal lesions. The general information, the condition of hypertension, diabetes history, dyslipidemia, CRP, BMI, 25(OH) D3 levels and carotid intima-media thickness of the two groups were recorded. The relationship between general data, 25(OH)D3 level and caroted intima thickness was analyzed. Results The age, smoking, the condition of hypertension, diabetes history, dyslipidemia and CRP were significantly higher in patients with vascular disease than those in hypertensive group (P<0.05). The level of 25(OH)D3 in patients with vascular disease was significantly lower than that in hypertensive group, the differences were significant (P<0.05). Age, smoking, the condition of hypertension, diabetes history, dyslipidemia are risk factors of carotid intimal lesion in hypertensive patients, while 25(OH)D3 was a protective factor for carotid intimal lesion. The correlation analysis showed that 25(OH)D3 levels were negatively correlated with IMT. Conclusions 25(OH)D3 is a protective factor for carotid intimal lesion in hypertensive patients. Reduced levels of 25(OH)D3 may increase the risk of carotid intimal lesion in hypertensive patients. Key words: Hypertension; Carotid intima; 25-hydroxy vitamin D3; Arteriosclerosis