The impact of visceral fat and levels of vitamin D on coronary artery calcification.

OBJECTIVE

To evaluated calcification of the coronary arteries and its association with visceral fat and 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25(OH)D) serum levels.

METHODS

A cross sectional study involving 140 individuals without any previous diagnosis of cardiovascular disease. A biochemical analysis of vitamin D serum levels was carried out, as well as computed tomography to measure coronary artery calcium score and visceral adipose tissue.

RESULTS

The mean age of the individuals was 55.9 (±12.4). Coronary artery calcium was observed in 40.7% of the population. Vitamin D presented median serum levels of 30.4 ng/ml (IQ24.5-39.1), with 14,1 and 33.7% of the individuals presenting deficiency and insufficiency, respectively. In the univariate analysis, the calcium score was more prevalent in aged patients (p<0.01), in hypertensive individuals (p<0.01), in diabetics (p=0.02), and in those with a higher concentration of VAT (p=0.02). In the adjusted analysis, it was found that the highest concentration of VAT (OR: 4.0; 95%CI 1.4-11.7), hypertension (OR: 4.8; 95%CI 1.5-15.3), and age (OR: 10.4; 95%CI 3.9-27.6) were predictors of subclinical atherosclerosis, regardless of body mass index, diabetes, and 25OHD.

CONCLUSIONS

Excess visceral fat was associated with subclinical atherosclerosis, regardless of other risk factors for cardiovascular disease. Serum levels of 25OHD were not associated with CAD in its early stages.