Vitamin D and inflammatory markers: cross-sectional analyses using data from the English Longitudinal Study of Ageing (ELSA)

Abstract

Recent evidence suggests that low vitamin D concentrations are associated with increased levels of inflammatory markers. However, there are limited studies investigating associations between vitamin D levels and inflammatory markers in the general population and much of this evidence in older adults is inconclusive. Therefore, this study investigates the cross-sectional association of serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25(OH)D) levels with inflammatory markers in 5870 older English adults from wave 6 (2012–2013) of the English Longitudinal Study of Ageing (ELSA). ELSA is a large prospective observational study of community-dwelling people aged 50 years and over in England. Serum 25(OH)D levels, C-reactive protein (CRP) levels, plasma fibrinogen levels, white blood cell count (WBC), age, season of blood collection, waist circumference, total non-pension household wealth, measures of health and health behaviours that included depression, number of cardiovascular, non-cardiovascular conditions and difficulties in activities of daily living, smoking, and physical activity were measured. There was a significant negative association between low 25(OH)D levels (≤30 nmol/l) and CRP (OR 1·23, 95 % CI 1·00, 1·51) and WBC (OR 1·35, 95 % CI 1·13, 1·60) that remained after adjustment for a wide range of covariates of clinical significance. However, for fibrinogen, the association did not remain significant when waist circumference was entered in the final model. Our findings showed that 25(OH)D levels were associated with two out the three inflammatory markers investigated. The independent and inverse association between serum 25(OH)D levels and inflammation suggests a potential anti-inflammatory role for vitamin D in older English individuals from the general population.

The Effects of Vitamin D Supplementation on Biomarkers of Inflammation and Oxidative Stress in Diabetic Patients: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials

“…In addition, cross-sectional studies have documented the negative association between circulating vitamin D levels and inflammatory factors in some groups. For instance, an inverse association between serum 25(OH)D concentrations and inflammatory markers was observed in older individuals from the general population [33]. Moreover, an inverse relation was documented in 147 morbidly obese people whose hs-CRP concentrations ranged from 1.88 to 4.01 mg/l [34].…”

Associations Between Vitamin D Levels and Depressive Symptoms in Later Life: Evidence From the English Longitudinal Study of Ageing (ELSA)

“…These brain areas have been implicated in the pathophysiology of depression ( 36 ). Vitamin D may also indirectly fight depressive symptoms via its proposed anti-inflammatory effect ( 37 ). Another important function of vitamin D is to control the formation of serotonin and this is another feature of the link between vitamin D deficiency and depression ( 38 ).…”

Combined Effect of Dynapenia (Muscle Weakness) and Low Vitamin D Status on Incident Disability

“…Low 25 (OH) D status is an increasingly important public health issue worldwide, in all population groups, although more common in older adults 1 . The importance of 25 (OH) D in the absorption and metabolism of calcium for bone health is well known 1 and its deficiency increases osteoporosis, hip fractures risk and it is extremely frequent in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease 2 , cardiovascular disease [3][4][5] , cancer 3 and chronic kidney disease 6 .…”