Relationship between Vitamin D Levels and LDL Cholesterol across Tri‐Ethnic Minorities with and without Type 2 Diabetes

Abstract

The study investigated the relationship between 25‐hydroxyvitamin D [25(OH) D] levels and LDL cholesterol across tri‐ethnic minority groups. A cross‐sectional study was conducted in Cuban (CA=184), Haitian (HA=242), and African Americans (AA=224) with and without type 2 diabetes (T2D). Participants were recruited from multiple sources from Miami‐Dade and Broward Counties, Florida. Dietary variables were collected using a food frequency questionnaire. Serum vitamin D levels were measured with enzyme‐immunoassay kit by absorbance. Plasma LDL cholesterol (LDL‐C) was assayed by enzymatic methods. Analyses included descriptive statistics and analysis of covariance (ANCOVA). AA and HA had significantly lower 25 (OH) D levels compared to CA (p<.001). Subjects with T2D had significantly lower 25 (OH) D and LDL‐C levels than those without T2D respectively (p<.001 and p=.007). ANCOVA showed that after controlling for confounding variables lower 25 (OH) D levels were significantly associated with higher LDL‐C levels in AA and HA with T2D [F(2, 631)=3.22, p<.001 and p=.031] respectively. Findings provide a better understanding of the relationship between vitamin D and LDL‐C for minorities. Future studies should focus on the role of vitamin D supplementation and cardiovascular disease outcomes in different racial/ethnic groups. Funding for this research was provided through an NIH/NIDDK sponsored grant.