Vitamin D deficiency and PAD: A close and often overlooked relationship

摘要

I read with great interest the recent article by Mazur et al.1 A number of vitamin deficiencies besides vitamin B12 deficiency may contribute to PAD. Vitamin D deficiency is an independent risk factor for the development and progression of PAD. Individuals with lower serum vitamin D are more prone to develop PAD. Similarly, one third of the increased riskof PAD in Afro-American populations in comparison to Caucasian populations is explained by the lower vitamin D status observed in Afro-American populations. Not surprisingly, secondary hyperparathyroidism is relatively more common in patients with PAD. Higher amputation rates have been noticed in individuals with lower serum vitamin D in the scenario of underlying PAD.