Key result
Vitamin D deficiency is linked to ~12% higher incident AF risk.
Why the study?
The association between vitamin D and atrial fibrillation risk remained unclear in the general population.
Does higher serum vitamin D or vitamin D supplementation reduce atrial fibrillation incidence in the general population?
Meta-Analysis (n=81,116)
Does higher serum vitamin D or vitamin D supplementation reduce atrial fibrillation incidence in the general population?
Effect estimate: HR 1.12 (95% CI 1.005-1.25)
Vitamin D deficiency is associated with a slightly increased risk of incident atrial fibrillation in the general population, though evidence for the efficacy of vitamin D supplementation remains inconclusive.
Vitamin D deficiency may flag higher AF risk without altering practice; leaves open whether supplementation prevents incidence.
Background: Since the association of vitamin D with atrial fibrillation (AF) risk is still unclear, we conducted this updated meta-analysis of prospective studies to identify the relationship between vitamin D or vitamin D supplementation and AF in the general population. Methods: We conducted a comprehensive search of multiple databases up to May 2023 for studies reporting vitamin D and AF. The hazard ratios (HRs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were pooled by a random-effects model. Results: A total of seven studies were included in this meta-analysis. Vitamin D deficiency (<20 ng/ml) was associated with increased AF incidence (HR: 1.12, 95% CI: 1.005-1.25). The HR was not significant with vitamin D insufficiency (20-30 ng/ml; HR: 1.09, 95% CI: 0.98-1.21). Each 10 ng/ml increase in serum vitamin D was associated with a significantly decreased AF incidence (HR: 0.95, 95% CI: 0.93-0.97). Two studies reported the effect of vitamin D supplements on AF incidence but reached inconsistent results. Conclusions: Vitamin D deficiency or insufficiency was associated with an increased risk of AF in the general population. The role of vitamin D supplementation in AF prevention needs further investigation.
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Ding et al. (2023) conducted a meta-analysis in Atrial fibrillation (n=81,116). Vitamin D deficiency (<20 ng/ml) vs. Normal vitamin D levels was evaluated on Atrial fibrillation incidence (HR 1.12, 95% CI 1.005-1.25). Vitamin D deficiency (<20 ng/ml) was associated with an increased risk of atrial fibrillation incidence (HR 1.12) in the general population.
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