Abstract 17863: Major ECG Abnormalities and Serum 25-OH-Vitamin D Levels: Insights from the NHANES III

Abstract

Introduction: Studies have demonstrated a relationship between Vitamin D (VD) deficiency and cardiovascular mortality. ECG abnormalities like the non-specific ST-T wave changes, QRS duration, QTc interval and left ventricular hypertrophy by voltage criteria have been associated with cardiovascular and all cause mortality. We sought to explore the relationship between major ECG (mECG) abnormalities and serum 25-OH-VD levels. Hypothesis: Is VD deficiency associated with increased prevalence of mECG abnormalities.

Methods: We queried the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey-III (NHANES-III). We identified 7042 individuals (age>40 years, representative of 72,491,238 individuals of USA) with available data. mECG abnormalities included: major Q, QS waves, ST depression/elevation, negative T-waves, complete AV-block, WPW-pattern, artificial pacemaker, ventricular conduction defect and atrial flutter/fibrillation. Univariate and step wise multivariate logistic regression models were built using VD as a continuous and categorical variable. All analyses were performed utilizing survey weights to account for the complex survey design of NHANES-III. P-value <0.05 were considered significant. Stata SE 11 was used for statistical analysis.

Results: 18.12% individuals had mECG abnormalities and 32.17% had VD <20 ng/ml. Results of univariate and step-wise multivariate logistic regression are shown in the table below.

Conclusions: Serum 25-OH VD is a significant independent predictor of mECG abnormalities. Further well structured trials are the needed to assess progression/resolution of mECG changes on VD supplementation in deficient individuals.