Vitamin D Status and Longitudinal Changes in Body Composition in Patients with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease - A Prospective Observational Study

Background: Alterations in body weight and composition are common in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and are independent predictors for morbidity and mortality. Low vitamin D status is also more prevalent in patients with COPD compared to controls and has been related to lower lung function, muscle atrophy and impaired musculoskeletal function. This study aimed to evaluate the association between vitamin D levels and status with body composition (BC), as well as with its changes over time. Patients and Methods: Patients with COPD and controls without COPD, participating in the Individualized COPD Evaluation in relation to Ageing (ICE-Age) study, a prospective observational study, were included. Plasma 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25(OH)D) was measured at baseline and BC was measured by dual -energy X-ray absorptiometry scan, at baseline and after two years of follow-up. Multiple linear regression analyses were performed to assess the relationships between 25(OH)D (nmol/l) and longitudinal changes in BMI, fat -free mass index (FFMI), fat mas index (FMI) and bone mineral density (BMD). Results: A total of 192 patients with COPD (57% males, mean +/- SD age, 62 +/- 7, FEV1, 49 +/- 16% predicted) and 199 controls (45% males, mean +/- SD age 61 +/- 7) were included in this study. Vitamin D levels were significantly lower in patients with COPD (64 +/- 26 nmol/L, 95% CI 60-68 nmol/L versus 75 +/- 25 nmol/L, 95% CI 72-79 nmol/L) compared to controls. Both patients and controls presented a significant decline in FFMI and T -score hip, but vitamin D level or status did not determine differences in BC or changes in BC over time in either COPD or controls. Conclusion: Vitamin D status was not associated with BC or longitudinal changes in BC. However, vitamin D insufficiency and low BMD were more prevalent in patients with COPD compared to controls.