25-Hydroxyvitamin D is lower in deprived groups, but is not associated with carotid intima media thickness or plaques: Results from pSoBid

Abstract Objective The association of the circulating serum vitamin D metabolite 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25OHD) with atherosclerotic burden is unclear, with previous studies reporting disparate results. Method Psychological, social and biological determinants of ill health (pSoBid) is a study of participants aged 35–64 years from Glasgow who live at extremes of the socioeconomic spectrum. Vitamin D deficiency was defined as 25OHD  Results Geometric mean levels of circulating 25OHD were higher among the least deprived (45.6 nmol/L, 1-SD range 24.4–85.5) versus most deprived (34.2 nmol/L, 1-SD range 16.9–69.2; p χ 2 p p p  = 0.01), 2% lower per 1 kg/m 2 increase in body mass index (BMI) ( p χ 2 p p  = 0.03). One unit increase in log 25OHD was not associated with atherosclerotic burden in univariable models; cIMT (effect estimate 0.000 mm [95% CI −0.011, 0.012]); plaque presence (OR 0.88 [0.75, 1.03]), or in multivariable models. Conclusion There is no strong association of 25OHD with cIMT or plaque presence, despite strong evidence 25OHD associates with lifestyle factors and socioeconomic deprivation.